Chukotka in Feb 2010!

Yes! I am currently planning my return on the trail in Chukotka in 2010.

The physical recovery from my back injury has moved along fantastically well since I came out of my "turtle shell" cast on April 20th 2009.

During the last few months of “physical therapy”, I have been able to enjoy a few great treks in Europe such as being able to complete solo the classic GR20 through Corsica in early July in 7 days, while carrying a minimum weight as the picture on the left can attest!

This of course, felt a far cry from what I am preparing to endure once again this winter in the frozen tundra of Chukotka… In deed these European summer treks were more like very enjoyable and beautiful entertaining hikes, allowing me to hop along from one “refuge” to the next while enjoying incredible scenery!

For now, I am in Moscow where I am planning and organizing the logistics for my return in Chukotka in February 2010, meeting with representatives of different Russian outdoor companies , gear manufacturers and food suppliers.

Of course, I also plan to continue to enhance my well established relationship with my current American, Canadian, Japanese and French sponsors.

However, it is important for me to clearly understand what is available within the Russian domestic market, which in some case might be my only option for resupply in order to circumnavigate restrictive customs regulations in some parts of the Russian Federation such as while completing my last trekking section in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.

While in Moscow, I also had the great pleasure to meet with the explorers Dmitry & Matvey Shparo to share experience on our mutual Bering Strait crossings and learn from both of them important tips on how to proceed forward safely through Russia as well as gain additional valuable contacts.

In the last few months, I also have had the pleasure to become a member of the illustrious The Explorers Club and presented at their Northwest "Compass" symposium on San Juan Island in Washington State in April 2009.

Finally, I also had a pleasure to make a French presentation on Nexus expedition to a group of enthused students at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, Washington State, USA in March 2009.

For now, привет из Москвы!
Dimitri