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21.05.2002: Single wrestle with the Arctic: 2000 kilometres across tundra in 3,5 months – for the first time in Russian history! Stepan Savin, iceman from Severodvinsk, starts on a solo expedition in the Arctic on the 16th of February. This brave and super-daring project is supported by BASK company as a part of `North Polar Circle’ program. `Such ordeals are beyond ordinary mortals’ – say Stepan’s ski-colleagues. One half of his midforties Stepan, master of sport of highest class, has spent in travels. In Russian history none has yet succeeded to realise such an extremely long backcountry trek in the Arctic with no artificial and hi-tech aid. Stepan Savin starts on the 16th of February near Arkhangelsk. He plans to spend 3.5 months for skiing along a winter coast of White Sea, Mezen, Kanin and Malozemelnaya tundras, cross North Timan highland bordered with Bolshezemelnaya tundra and on crossing Polar Ural mountains finish his route in New Urengoy, near Taimyr Peninsula. `I permanently have to run away from spring’, – discovered Stepan in one of his interview. His new expedition is a next stage of a long-lasting project, planned for several winter seasons. Two ears ago his team of three men had in extreme weather conditions passed 1000 kilometres route along Kolsky peninsula. The current stage of the project includes twice as long route, which is even harder. This time Stepan chose solo travel. Winter climate of the West Arctic is severe and unstable. Changes of weather are drastic: in the blaze of a day it may snowburst in tundra; snowfall mixed with rain may in several hours be succeeded by clear cold weather. In such extreme conditions even in mass expeditions too much depends on equipment. That’s why all clothes of a courageous soloist were carefully and thoroughly sorted and assembled from best BASK models, which maximally fit severe Arctic conditions. We are sure that BASK equipment will not only protect Stepan Savin against wind and frost but will also provide him with comfort and help to surmount all obstacles on his hard route.

20.05.2002: Extreme Arctic solo expedition BASK company sponsors unique Arctic expedition of Stepan Savin. Brave traveller single-handed challenges severe North nature. He is going to ski more than 2000 kilometres along outback regions of Arkhangelsk, Komi and West Siberian regions. This expedition is a part of scientific-and-sport project `North Polar Circle’. Never in Russian history any person has succeeded to complete such a continuous ski Arctic route solo and with no technical aid. This hardest expedition would have been impossible if BASK company had not equipped Stepan. BASK clothes not only defend from frost and wind but also provide high level of comfort and help a traveller to endure all severities of a route. Stepan Savin starts on the 10th of February near Arkhangelsk. In 3.5 months he plans to ski along a winter coast of White Sea, Mezen, Kanin and Malozemelnaya tundras, cross North Timan highland bordered with Bolshezemelnaya tundra and on crossing Polar Ural mountains finish his route in New Urengoy, near Taimyr Peninsula. This is the second stage of the project, which should last several winters. General idea of the entire project is to ski-cross all the Arctic from West to East with climbing of all main summits of the mountain ranges met on the route. During the first stage of the expedition in winter 2000 team of three men had in very poor weather crossed Kolsky Peninsula from Norway to `White Sea Neck’ for 80 days. That 1000-kilometres route formed a constituent part of `Russian Aurora Borealis’ project. This, second, route is twice longer than the previous one and is even more difficult. It’s going cross-country along terrains with upland relief. European part of The Arctic is famous with it’s broken weather. One can’t bet on changes in weather there: in the blaze of day it may snowburst in tundra; snowfall mixed with rain may in several hours be succeeded by clear cold weather. For one day temperature may drop for 400C and light frost is transformed to dreadful cold. In such extreme conditions too much depends on equipment of a traveller. That’s why all clothes of Stepan Savin were carefully and thoroughly sorted and assembled from best BASK models, which maximally fit severe Arctic conditions. Detailed photo-report from the expedition completed with Stepan Savin diaries will appear at our site.