"From Santa Claus to Chyskhaanu": in the footsteps of Kolchak

We continue to monitor the progress of the expedition to the East "From Santa Claus to Chyskhaanu" that our friends and partners in the production company LAV Productions performed with Subaru Motor. How did the children brought up long ago, cars go in the original configuration, any changes or additions, and this despite the fact that the ultimate goal of the expedition - the Pole of Cold, Oymyakon village in north-eastern Yakutia. While a team led by Andrei Leontiev, has done only half way, entering the boundaries of the Irkutsk region.

In fact, in search of the Christmas freeze and this winter is not necessary to go to Siberia. Once we just leave the door estate Santa Claus in Great Ustyug, began as a ... We immediately recalled the January expedition to Taimyr, when we one day were a record 1.5 km. But there's a blizzard of snow multiplied by meter depth. We now have the wheels was quite tolerable asphalt covered, however, the steady snow-ice. Is Russia still there are people who question the need for all-wheel drive and studded tires?

Subaru worked tough coating on five points, but now with the wind carrying tons of snow, their wipers could not keep up. Speed ​​on the highway dropped to 40. Some heavy-duty and did froze on the roadside. After Sharyu and Kotelnich were in Kirov - you can go through and Kotlas, but the gravel road to the highway there already "Vyatka" murdered. And the mileage is the same. Waking up in Kirov, we realized that all our hopes for a speedy passage of the cyclone were empty and naive. Sometimes understood that stupid even get cameras and camera - with equal success, you can shoot the plastered walls or sheet of drawing paper.

But in Krasnoyarsk - how to cut. Blue skies and frost ... During our expeditions, we usually try to stay out of the big cities in traffic jams takes hours. Krasnoyarsk - exception. For the night we leave the highway to the south as much as 80 kilometers. And if you are in these parts, do the same - after about 60 km after Krasnoyarsk turn right towards the village leaving Log, and then - following signs to Oreshnoe. You will find yourself in a very wonderful place. Here in the valley, the microclimate, its life. There takes no mobile and no one will distract you from communicating with wonderful humble people who have devoted themselves to studying the world's largest conglomerate cave - Big Oreshnoy. In depth, it goes to the length of 7 kilometers and corridors more than 60, but it only studied ... Hike to the cave - employment for trained people. First of all, because the entrance is located at 600 m from the road, and these meters to overcome the slope, the slope of which is more than 45 degrees in some places.

When we entered the cave, then realized that cavers should be okay with the psyche. Already a hundred meters have to wade then crawl, then squeeze between the walls. However, apart from claustrophobia is nothing to fear. Experienced guides will warn when to bend, when not to stumble, and of other living creatures, but people here are found except bats ...

Bath, an evening talk with local peasants, the contemplation of the planetarium, stretching over the huts, and deep sleep. Next day we will meet in Tulun - this is the Irkutsk region. The road runs along the rare beauty of Transsib, which in itself is one big attraction length 8000 kilometers. Surprising that small polustanochke still preserved old wooden stations and water towers, which have to remember Nicholas II, who traveled on the newly open road in 1898, and Admiral Kolchak ...

A wonderful story, not directly related to the history of the Civil War occurred here in the early autumn in Kasimov when we for the program "Weekend on Wheels" filmed the local attractions, including the private museum of samovars. The collection is unique, the owner told us a long time about samovars Brezhnev Kerensky ... And then came up the samovar, from which drinking Kolchak. In practice it was a vessel of industrial size, which is clearly readable name Zamzor. That is the title of a small station on the Trans-Siberian railway between Taishet and Tulun. It turns out that Kolchak samovar borrowed from the station waiting room for the needs of staff. Then historical samovar was taken as a trophy, the guerrillas. Of course, we had to call in Zamzor ...

Incidentally, at this point still remains a piece of old primer - parallel already put nice modern high road. Still at all gas stations was 95th in general would be great. Once had to fill the 92-bit to make it to the next column. Subarovskie motors digested deviant fuel without problems, but the more we try not to put such experiments. We are after all still go and go, we have a great country.