Brits set to take on Lake Baikal record-making challenge

Fri, 9 Mar 2007

On Saturday, March 10 at 10 AM local time (Irkutsk), 2 AM UK time, a team of four Brits will start their 25 day expedition to cross the world’s largest lake, frozen Lake Baikal.

Husband and wife, Conrad (51) and Hilary Dickinson (53) plus friends Alistair Guthrie (36) and Anthony Baird (44) will use skis, skates and snow shoes to trek 700 km (435 miles) across the Siberian wilderness.

The team has spent the last two days checking their kit and testing conditions.

Each person will need to haul sledges weighing 100 kg (16 stone) but will be assisted by high tech kites specially made for the Siberian conditions by GIN.

Typical temperatures will be -20ºC and the team will spend every night on the ice.

Speaking by satellite phone, Conrad Dickinson said, "It’s an immense relief to actually get on the lake. I now only have to concentrate on solving practical problems and physical hardship rather than the paperwork and bureaucratic issues prior to leaving the UK. I was totally exhausted by the time I left.

“All our interactions with the local Russians seem to involve vodka and white fish!

“I am staggered by the interest shown by the Russian media with regard to our expedition. It was quite amusing however when one Russian journalist didn’t turn up to our briefing event because she initially thought Newcastle was in London!”