wildernessLectures

In February 2022 Charlie travelled to the Arctic in Far East Russia to undertake a 600-mile hike along the frozen surface of a remote river. The goal was to visit and learn about the indigenous Siberian peoples living along the route: horse breeders, fur trappers and reindeer herders.

However, once Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine, Charlie found himself with a unique opportunity to see what ordinary Russians - far from the front lines - thought about the war their countrymen were now fighting. The expedition grew increasingly precarious as the authorities started to closely scrutinise his movements and motives. Ultimately, being a Westerner inside Russia became an even greater challenge than surviving and camping in the extreme cold temperatures.