Land Rover Global 1998 - Part 8

The leaders reported their findings to Land Rover at a meeting held in London in June 1997, where the plan for the entire expedition was discussed in its entirety. Unfortunately, the situation within Land Rover changed and the following month we received messages from them cancelling their sponsorship because of an adverse business climate.

Gordon Thomas continues in his plans to complete this epic journey. In 1998, Dmitry and his son Matvey had yet another attempt at crossing the Strait on foot. With a team of 4 backing them up, utilising satellite phones and an Argos positioning transmitter, they set out from Russia on the 28th February. As the general drift of the ice was in a northerly direction, the two travelled east by day, making for an overall trek to the north-east of the Russian peninsula. Although they were visited by a Polar Bear curious as to why a Seal would wrap itself up in a sleeping bag, the situation was soon diffused by two shotgun blasts to the side of their guest and some choice Russian words expressing displeasure!

By the 8th March they were several miles within US territory and had drifted north of the Arctic Circle. A few days later thin ice gave way and both Shparos had their first dunking in the icy waters. A ski was lost, as was some food and other supplies, but spirits were still high. A re-supply airdrop took place using high-tech parachutes fashioned from a bed sheet and military poncho! Finally, landfall was achieved on the 20th March 1997 near Chariot, 18 miles south of Point Hop.

Although technically it wasn't a crossing of the Bering Strait, more that of the Chukchi Sea, to the team's knowledge, it was the first time men had travelled on foot across the Bering Bridge since the native North Americans came over centuries before.

A few other individuals have also had a go at crossing the Bering Strait, notably Englishman Steve Brooks. He set off in March 2001 with a tracked amphibious vehicle, but unfortunately only made it a few meters into the water before the machine started to fall apart.

So, the challenge is still open.

Future expeditions

Past expeditions