Dimitri Kieffer is currently in the middle of a human powered expedition around the world which he started in Anchorage, Alaska, USA in February 2005.
Since his departure, he has walked across Alaska from Anchorage to Wales and then proceeded to swim, walk and ski across the Bering Strait to land in Russia at Uelen, Chukotka Okrug in April 2006.
He then continued to trek and ski, progressing southwest through Egvekinot, Anadyr, (Chukotka Okrug), Kamenskoye, Manily, Paren, (Kamchatka Koryak Okrug), Evensk and finally Omsukchan (Magadanskaya Oblast).
In August 2011, Dimitri returned to Omsukchan, where he started to cycle westbound in company of his girlfriend Gulnara Miftakhova, who since then has become his wife. Together, they cycled 1962 kms to reach Nizhny Bestyakh (Yakutsk) on the Kolyma Highway, also known as the "road of bones".
Summers 2012, 2013 and 2014, Dimitri cycled further southwest a total amount of 10,472 kms (6506 miles) from Yakutsk, Russia to Bukhara, Uzbekistan. He was accompanied by his wife Gulnara Kieffer for some of these sections.
Total Mileage (as of July 25th 2015):
Dimitri has covered so far 17,812 kms (11,067 miles) since he started, which he has accomplished over the course of 514 days of motion (279 days trekking/skiing/swimming and 235 days cycling/rowing).
- 5228 kms (3250 miles) in 6 winters (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011) while trekking, snowshoeing, skiing and swimming through Alaska, the Bering Strait and Far Eastern Russia.
- 12,584 kms (7,819 miles) in 4 summers (2011, 2012,2013,2014) while cycling through Far Eastern Russia, Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and rowed across the Aldan river in Yakutia/Sakha Republic, Russia.
- 5228 kms (3250 miles) in 6 winters (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011) while trekking, snowshoeing, skiing and swimming through Alaska, the Bering Strait and Far Eastern Russia.
- 12,584 kms (7,819 miles) in 4 summers (2011, 2012,2013,2014) while cycling through Far Eastern Russia, Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and rowed across the Aldan river in Yakutia/Sakha Republic, Russia.
Summary per year:
2014:
Dimitri and Gulnara cycled 2950 kilometers (1833 miles) across the Central Asian nations of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
They cycled through the famous Pamir Highway (M41), where they climbed through mountain passes as high as 4600 meters (15,000 feet).
Pamir Mountains : mountain range in Central Asia at the junction of the Himalayas with the Tian Shan, Karakoram, Kunlun, and Hindu Kush ranges. They are among the world’s highest mountains, and since Victorian times, they have been known as the "Roof of the World".
Kyrgyz, Tajik, Pamiri, Afghan sheep/camels/goats/horses/yaks herders
Uzbek melon/watermelons/grapes farmers,
Silk Road Cities of Bukhara and Samarqand: blacksmiths, rug makers, artists, painters, puppet makers
2013:
Dimitri cycled further 3473 kms (2158 miles) from Kharkhorin, Mongolia to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Gulnara was able to join him for 1504 kms (934 miles) from Urumqi, China to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Mongolian steppe, Chinese desert, Mongols, Han Chinese, Uighurs, Hui Chinese, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, sheep/camels/goats/horses/yaks herders, factory workers, miners, farmers, cotton and pimentos hand pickers.
Gulnara was able to join him for 1504 kms (934 miles) from Urumqi, China to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Mongolian steppe, Chinese desert, Mongols, Han Chinese, Uighurs, Hui Chinese, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, sheep/camels/goats/horses/yaks herders, factory workers, miners, farmers, cotton and pimentos hand pickers.
2012:
Cycling 4049 kms (2515 miles) from Yakutsk to Kharkhorin, through Russian
Far East and Eastern Mongolia.
Taiga, steppe, sand dunes,
Yakuts/ Sakhas, Evens, Buriats, Mongols,
lamas, road wokers, miners, herders, Takhi wild horses, camels, yaks,
eagles, prairie dogs and reached the
first antipode of the expedition.
2011:
Trekking and skiing 595 kms (370 miles) from Paren to Omsukchan through Far Eastern Russian tundra
Cycling 2110 kms (
1310 miles) from Omsukchan to Kachitkatsy, through the mountainous Omsukchan road and the M 56
Kolyma Highway, aka "Road of Bones", with Gulnara. Gold and Coal mines, Gulag relics, Road
workers camps, Sakha farmers and Sakha horses.
Rowed across the Aldan River in Yakutia/ Sakha Republic, Russia.
Rode the last 150 kilometers alone from Nizhny Betyakh to Katchikatsy and had to stop there for the winter because of mechanical failure (broken free hub).
Rowed across the Aldan River in Yakutia/ Sakha Republic, Russia.
Rode the last 150 kilometers alone from Nizhny Betyakh to Katchikatsy and had to stop there for the winter because of mechanical failure (broken free hub).
2010:
Back on the Trail! Trekking and skiing 700 kms (430 miles) from Vayegi (Chukotka) to Paren
(Kamchatka), Far Eastern Russia, tundra, reindeer herders, trekking in company
at first of Nyurgun Efremov and
afterwards in company of the dogs Rice, Rex and Dunia.
2009:
Dimitri sustained a tragic accident at home while working on
his roof, unsecured.. Fell 15 feet on a concrete floor. Back surgery: split L1
lombar vertebrae and relate joint were successfully fused with T12 and L2
vertebrae with the help of 6 titanium screws and wire, therefore avoiding
potential paralysis.
Consequently, Dimitri was forced to take a year of
convalescence, wearing a "turtle shell" for the first three
months,and reflecting on Kafka's
"The Metamorphosis"
Followed intense physical therapy, travelled in europe,
hiked the GR20 in Corsica, rode a motorcycle through the continent and met
Gulnara Miftakhova while visiting friends in Morocco.
2008:
April: Knee
arthroscopy to repair a torn meniscus.
Spring: Trekked and skied 965 kms (600 miles) from Egvekinot
to Vayegi, Chukotka.
Fought the Spring conditions: rapid melting snow!
First skiing, then trekking with a backpack and pulling the sled simultaneously then
finally swimming and/or using the sled as a kayak while going down
remote Chukotkan rivers. Encountered
numerous grizzly bears but no humans in a 30 days timeframe!
Late Fall: Returned to Vayegi! Started too early in the season: rivers were not yet solidly frozen,
had a limited amount hours of daylight,
equipment failure. Therefore aborted after one week and decided to come back in
the winter.
2007:
Return in Russia! Trekked and skied 685 kilometers (425
miles) from Uelen to Egvekinot through
desolate Chukotkan tundra with Karl Bushby. Reflecting on the Bering Strait,
the history of civilization and species migration and recognition from Seattle
Metropolitan Magazine...
Trekked 185 kilometers (115 miles) from Nome to Wales,
Alaska with Karl Bushby.
Completed Bering Strait Crossing successfully in 322 kilometers (200 miles) with Karl
Bushby, trekking, skiing and swimming from one ice surge to the next, among spotted seals and polar bears. First
Eastbound crossing completed in modern times. Recognition from National
Geographic, and Seattle declares June 23rd 'Dimitri Kieffer Day'...
2005:
Nexus Expeditions began in February of 2005 at Knik Lake in
Alaska. Dimitri Kieffer competed in the Iditarod Invitational Race, traveling
1,770 kilometers (1,100 miles) in 37 days by foot and snowshoe from Knik Lake
(near Anchorage) to Nome. He was the 6th person to ever finish this race by
foot since the race started in 1989, following the trail of the infamous
Iditarod dog race.
As a surprise, his father, Henri, met him near the village
of Solomon after flying all the way from France and having travelled on a
snowmobile to surprise him.
During the course of the race, Dimitri met Karl Bushy and together they spent the rest
of the year for their 2006 Bering Strait crossing.
From this beginning, Dimitri would embark on a human-powered
journey to circumnavigate the world.==============================
Summary per section:
First Section:
Feb – April 2005
37 days
Completed by foot (trekking and snowshoeing)
The expedition started on February 26th 2005 at Knik Lake, near Anchorage, Alaska. Dimitri completed in 37 days by foot and snowshoe the Iditarod Invitational race from Knik Lake to Nome (1100 miles / 1770 kms). He was the 6th person to ever finish this race by foot, following the trail of the infamous Iditarod dog race. During the race, he met with Karl Bushby at the old woman's cabin between Kaltag and Unalakleet. Karl Bushby was on his Goliath trek exclusively by foot from the tip of South America to London.
Second Section:
Nome (Alaska) – Wales (Alaska)
Feb 2006
9 days
115 miles 185 kilometers
Completed by foot (Trekking and Back Country Skiing)
Dimitri joined Karl Bushby as part of the Goliath expedition. Together, they trekked northwest from Nome to Wales in Feb 2006 completing the 115miles (185 km) in 9 days.
 |
| 1st section: Knik Lake (near Anchorage, Alaska) - Nome (Alaska) |
Second Section:
Nome (Alaska) – Wales (Alaska)
9 days
Completed by foot (Trekking and Back Country Skiing)
Dimitri joined Karl Bushby as part of the Goliath expedition. Together, they trekked northwest from Nome to Wales in Feb 2006 completing the 115miles (185 km) in 9 days.
 |
| 2d section: Nome (Alaska) – Wales (Alaska) |
Third Section:
Wales (Alaska) – Uelen (Russia)
Bering Strait Crossing
March 17-31 2006
14 days, 5 days where swimming was required
200 miles 322 kilometers
Completed by foot (Trekking and Back Country Skiing) + Swimming
In March 2006, Dimitri was able to complete the first successful Westbound crossing of the Bering Strait between Wales, Alaska and Uelen, Russia covering 200 miles (322kms) in 14 days, with Karl Bushby as part of the Goliath Expedition while swimming, trekking and skiing between and on ice floes.
See article describing the Bering Strait crossing: Seattle Times, New York Times.
Wales (Alaska) – Uelen (Russia)
14 days, 5 days where swimming was required
200 miles 322 kilometers
Completed by foot (Trekking and Back Country Skiing) + Swimming
In March 2006, Dimitri was able to complete the first successful Westbound crossing of the Bering Strait between Wales, Alaska and Uelen, Russia covering 200 miles (322kms) in 14 days, with Karl Bushby as part of the Goliath Expedition while swimming, trekking and skiing between and on ice floes.
See article describing the Bering Strait crossing: Seattle Times, New York Times.
 |
| 3rd section: Nome (Alaska) – Uelen (Russia) Bering Strait Crossing |
Fourth section:
Uelen to Egvekinot (Chukotka, Russia)
Completed by foot (Back Country Skiing and only trekking after Vastoshisno)
Uelen- Anguema (with Goliath expedition - Karl Bushby)
Anguema- Uelen (solo)
2007 Route completed - Uelen - Egvekinot 425 miles
In April 2007, Dimitri continued his human powered Nexus expedition in Chukotka, Russia, starting in Uelen where he was last stopped after having crossed the Bering Strait. He covered 425 miles (684 kms) in 34 days from Uelen to Egvekinot by foot and skis while pulling a sled along the Siberian coast and across the frozen tundra with Karl Bushby.
 |
| 4th section: Uelen to Egvekinot (Chukotka, Russia) |
Egvekinot to Vayegi (Chukotka, Russia)
April 15- June 7 2008
600 miles / 965 kms
83 days
Completed by foot (Back Country Skiing, trekking with a backpack and pulling the sled simultaneously, swimming, using the sled as kayak while going down rivers).
600 miles / 965 kms
83 days
Completed by foot (Back Country Skiing, trekking with a backpack and pulling the sled simultaneously, swimming, using the sled as kayak while going down rivers).
In April 2008, Dimitri continued his expedition solo, in Chukotka, Russia, starting in Egvekinot where he had last stopped and covered 600 miles.
He completed this section by foot and skis while pulling a sled along the Siberian coast and river beds. As the spring advanced and the snow started to rapidly melt, Dimitri had to trek some of the last hundred miles with a backpack and pulling the sled simultaneously, swimming, and finally using the sled as a kayak and a shovel as a paddle while going down rivers.
For more details on this section, please consult:
Report provided by explorersweb.com
 |
| 5th section: Egvekinot to Vayegi (Chukotka, Russia) |
Vayegi (Chukotka, Russia)-Paren (Kamchatka Koryak Okrug, Russia)
March 11th - May 13th 2010
707 kms completed, 63 days.
For more details on this section, please consult:
In January 2009, Dimitri accidentally fractured his L1 vertebrae while being back home in Seattle, USA.
As a result, he underwent a successful Posterior Spinal Instrumental fusion surgery, which thankfully allows him to fully function today, after having taken a required 1 year sabbatical "vacation" from the expedition.
In March 2010, Dimitri returned to the village of Vayegi and continued by foot and skis while pulling a sled moving Southwest towards Kamchatka. He completed the first month in company of Yakut trekker Nyurgun Efremov who stopped in the village of Slautnoye, Kamchatka.
From there on, Dimitri completed the next 200 kms in company of three beautiful roaming dogs and reach Kamenskoye. After having left the 3 canines in good company, he continued solo, mostly following the coastline where he could still find barely enough ice to slide his sled on, swimming and backpacking along the way and was finally able to reach the remote koryak fishing village of Paren.In March 2010, Dimitri returned to the village of Vayegi and continued by foot and skis while pulling a sled moving Southwest towards Kamchatka. He completed the first month in company of Yakut trekker Nyurgun Efremov who stopped in the village of Slautnoye, Kamchatka.
Dimitri was also enthused to be able to meet and stay for a few days along the way with two different "brigades" of reindeer herders, a chukchi one and a koryak one where he was able to learn about and appreciate their nomadic culture.
 |
| 6th section: Vayegi (Chukotka)- Paren (Kamchatka Koryak Okrug) |
For more details on this section, please consult:
2011 Done with the Missing Link!
2011 Route completed Paren-Omsukchan
(Report provided by explorersweb.com)
2011 Route completed Paren-Omsukchan
(Report provided by explorersweb.com)
In February 2011, Dimitri returned to Kamchatka to continue trekking and skiing 595kms from Paren in Kamchtaka Koryak Okrug to Omsukchan in Magadanskaya Oblast.
 |
| 7th section: Paren (Kamchatka) - Omsukchan (Magadanskaya) |
1962 kilometers completed, 42 cycling days ( + 7 rest/visiting/repair days)
Together, they cycled 1962kms to reach Nizhny Bestyakh (Yakutsk) on the Kolyma Highway, also known as the "Road of Bones".
Rowed across the Aldan River in Yakutia/ Sakha Republic, Russia.
 |
| 8th section: Omsukchan (Magadanskaya) - Nizhny Bistyekh/ Yakutsk (Yakutia) |
Ninth section:Yakutsk/ Nizhny Bestyakh (Republic of Sakha, Yakutia) to KM150 marker on Lena Highway between Katchikatsi and Ulu
Oct 10th - 12th 2011
150 kilometers completed, 3 days
150 kilometers completed, 3 days
 |
| 9th section Nizhny Bestyakh to KM150 marker on Lena Highway(Republic of Sakha, Yakutia) |
2011 Nizhny Bestyakh - Km marker 150 on Lena Highway
Tenth section:Yakutsk (Republic of Sakha, Yakutia) to Kharkhorin (Mongolia).
June 1st - Oct 31st 2012
4049 kilometers (2515 miles) completed, from Yakutsk to Kharkhorin, through Russian Far East and Eastern Mongolia, 63 cycling days
Taiga, steppe, sand dunes, Yakuts/ Sakhas, Evens, Buriats, Mongols, lamas, road wokers, miners, herders, Takhi wild horses, camels, yaks, eagles, prairie dogs and reached the first antipode of the expedition.
Eleventh section: Kharkhorin (Mongolia) - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.Aug 18th - Dec 18th 2013
Dimitri cycled 3473 kms (2158 miles) from Kharkhorin, Mongolia to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
64 cycling days
Gulnara was able to join him for 30 days: 1504 kms (934 miles) from Urumqi, China to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Mongolian steppe, Chinese desert, Mongols, , Han Chinese, Uighurs, Hui Chinese, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, sheep/camels/goats/horses/yaks herders, factory workers, miners, farmers, cotton and pimentos hand pickers.
Damages caused by Mongolian sandy trails: broken freehub, gear shifter, derailleur and a few flats.
Twelfth section: Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) - Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
2950 kms (1833 miles) 63 cycling days
Dimitri and Gulnara cycled across the Central Asian nations of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
They cycled through the famous Pamir Highway (M41), where they climbed through mountain passes as high as 4600 meters (15,000 feet).
Pamir Mountains : mountain range in Central Asia at the junction of the Himalayas with the Tian Shan, Karakoram, Kunlun, and Hindu Kush ranges. They are among the world’s highest mountains, and since Victorian times, they have been known as the "Roof of the World".
Kyrgyz, Tajik, Pamiri, Afghan sheep/camels/goats/horses/yaks herders
Uzbek melon/watermelons/grapes farmers, Silk Road Cities of Bukhara and Samarqand: blacksmiths, rug makers, painters, puppet makers
For more information on this section, please consult:
2014 Route: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Tenth section:Yakutsk (Republic of Sakha, Yakutia) to Kharkhorin (Mongolia).
June 1st - Oct 31st 2012
4049 kilometers (2515 miles) completed, from Yakutsk to Kharkhorin, through Russian Far East and Eastern Mongolia, 63 cycling days
Taiga, steppe, sand dunes, Yakuts/ Sakhas, Evens, Buriats, Mongols, lamas, road wokers, miners, herders, Takhi wild horses, camels, yaks, eagles, prairie dogs and reached the first antipode of the expedition.
 |
| Tenth section: Summer 2012 Nexus Expedition Route4049 kms / 2515 miles covered |
 |
| Tenth section: Yakutsk (Russia) - Kharkhorin (Mongolia) |
Eleventh section: Kharkhorin (Mongolia) - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.Aug 18th - Dec 18th 2013
Dimitri cycled 3473 kms (2158 miles) from Kharkhorin, Mongolia to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
64 cycling days
Gulnara was able to join him for 30 days: 1504 kms (934 miles) from Urumqi, China to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Mongolian steppe, Chinese desert, Mongols, , Han Chinese, Uighurs, Hui Chinese, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, sheep/camels/goats/horses/yaks herders, factory workers, miners, farmers, cotton and pimentos hand pickers.
Damages caused by Mongolian sandy trails: broken freehub, gear shifter, derailleur and a few flats.
 |
2013 Completed Nexus Route |
Twelfth section: Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) - Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
2950 kms (1833 miles) 63 cycling days
Dimitri and Gulnara cycled across the Central Asian nations of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
They cycled through the famous Pamir Highway (M41), where they climbed through mountain passes as high as 4600 meters (15,000 feet).
Pamir Mountains : mountain range in Central Asia at the junction of the Himalayas with the Tian Shan, Karakoram, Kunlun, and Hindu Kush ranges. They are among the world’s highest mountains, and since Victorian times, they have been known as the "Roof of the World".
Kyrgyz, Tajik, Pamiri, Afghan sheep/camels/goats/horses/yaks herders
Uzbek melon/watermelons/grapes farmers, Silk Road Cities of Bukhara and Samarqand: blacksmiths, rug makers, painters, puppet makers
For more information on this section, please consult:
2014 Route: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
 |
| 2014 Completed section |
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