Kamchatka Expedition: Kayakers Attempt Source-to-Sea First Descents in Wildest Russia
On the eve of departing for an expedition to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, one of the wildest places on Earth, the scene could easily be depicted as chaos. Boxes upon boxes of freeze-dried food, dry bags, outerwear, kayaks, paddles, and camera gear littered as far as the eyes can see. Things get packed and re-packed, team members debate items of importance, appropriate quantities of gear, and look for reassurance in each other that preparedness is being achieved. It is an energy that is almost impossible to capture. A buzz, a focus, a mindset that team members can barely express themselves. It is a combination of excitement, adrenaline, anxiety and focus. For me it is the moment I live for. That sense of being on the cusp of something big. Something unknown. Adventure in its wildest sense.
Just ten hours out from a 6 a.m. flight that would take us thousands of miles across the globe, the question became redundant. I’d look at Shane and ask, “How are you doing?” The answer was almost as predictable. He would quietly mumble, “O.K.” Then the question would bounce to Ethan, Rob, and Jay and back onto myself. How are you doing? A daily expression that for most people is an honest engagement in conversation, but hours out from the biggest expedition of your life, it is a question purely derived from nerves. The answer is consistently a pathetic, boring OK from every person I ask. But this question becomes more loaded as the hour of departure creeps in. It is an SOS call out to my team members to feel out if they need help. A check in that helps me settle my own nerves, knowing that everyone is spinning the same questions around and around in their head. Do I have everything I need, did I tie up all the phone calls and emails I needed to, do we have our logistics completely sorted and what will happen when we hit the ground. It is an insane glut of information that keeps cycling through each of our heads and about all we can say is “I’m doing OK”.
Then clairvoyance. The reality of departure sets in. We load six kayaks onto the roof of Shane’s truck and nine more laden duffels of gear, food, and supplies into the back. The preparations are over and the reality of the expedition begins. We will have many hurdles along the way, but none bigger than being able to just let go and push off. Being able to commit to the expedition and cut the teather to daily routines is the most critical moment of an expedition. Sure there will be trials and tribulation in the field, but there will also be knowns by which to base those decisions on.
Actually embarking on an expedition, the pushing off is the hardest part.
(Editor’s Note: But they made it!)
-For additional information on the project please visit www.kamchatkaproject.org. Outdoor Research will also be hosting several audio podcasts with the team while they are in Kamchatka at www.outdoorreserach.com.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico