"WE WILL TRY TO BE THE FIRST TO KITE SKI THE LARGEST LAKE IN THE WORLD"
BIGGEST LAKE IN THE WORLD
Lake Baikal is the biggest lake in the World, and is roughly the size of France. At 1637 metres deep it holds over 20% of the World's fresh water supply - more water than all of North America's Great Lakes combined.
The crystal clear waters are fed by over 400 rivers flowing into Lake Baikal and only one river flowing out. This remote and wild lake is deep in the heart of Siberia, close to the Mongolian border and is surrounded by huge mountains and tree covered foreshores.
ROUTE & METHOD OF TRAVEL
The team aim to travel the full 700km length of the banana shaped lake starting in the South (Slyudyanka) and finishing in the North (Nizhneangarsk). The main plan is to harness the wind and kite-ski where possible, but due to the surface and weather conditions it is expected that a variety of modes of travel will be employed:
- Kites and Skis - for favourable wind
- Ice Skates - for glass ice
- Metal Spikes on Boots - for pressure ice
- Cross Country skis - for deep snow
- Sleds & paddles - for open water!
Each team member will drag a sledge weighing up to 100kilos.
PEOPLE
Baikal has a colourful history, being a centre for the Russian fur trade from 1640 and suffering the rampages by Genghis Khan in the 13th Century. The oldest inhabitants are the Buryat - ethnic Monguls who have inhabited the shorelines for centuries. Practising both Shamanism and Buddhism they suffered greatly in the 1930's at the hands of Stalin, but are now re-establishing their ancient beliefs. They still appease the Doshkin-Noyan, the god of storms, with a little vodka flicked into the fire. The northern 300km of the lakeside is virtually uninhabited apart from a few hunters.
WILDLIFE
The full team will be delighted to see the World's only fresh water seal, the nerpa. They are less enthusiastic about being chased by a pack of wolves that reside on the Northern shorelines! The crystal clear waters of this ancient lake have created a unique environment with some 1500 endemic species including the omul, a local whitefish. This fish provides a daily delicacy for the numerous fishermen and their families. The team will no doubt sample this delight!
LAKE IN WINTER
From December the lake begins to freeze, staying completely encased in ice until late April with average winter temperatures around -20°C. The ice gets so thick - well over a metre - that it can support trucks crossing the Southern section of the lake (although many are lost or get stuck in thin ice).
TREACHEROUS ICE AND WINDS
Lake Baikal is famous for its winds, which can reach up to 200 kilometres per hour, capable of flattening tents and blowing over trucks.
Over 30 names exist for local winds that suddenly appear gusting both across and down the lake. Ski kiting will be challenging to say the least!
The ice is far from flat. The team will have to tackle miles of pressure ice up to 5 metres high, deep snow, and worst of all thin ice, joined by open water. A peculiar characteristic of the ice is the wind-polished surface that appears like glass - this is very difficult to cross.
Travelling along the lake will be a challenge at all times.
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Tandem Kiting (click to enlarge)
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Map of Lake Baikal (click to enlarge)
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Great Sunsets (click to enlarge)
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Ski & Sledge (click to enlarge)
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Water on Ice - Horrible to Cross
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Ice Rubble (click to enlarge)
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