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Outside Magazine March 2004

Waking the Bear: Russian Adventures
Going With the Pros: Outfitted Trips
Screaming nyet! at the hassles of independent travel? Let a Western operator take the reins. Here are some of the best ways to go (comfortably) wild

By Ki Bassett


Intro | The Russian Revolution | Untapped Frontiers: Karelia, the Kola Peninsula, & the Caucasus | Untapped Frontiers: The Subarctic Urals, Putorana Plateau, and the Altay Mountains | Untapped Frontiers: Lake Baikal, the Sayan Mountains, Kamchatka, & the Commander & Kuril Islands | Going It Alone: A User's Guide | Outfitted Trips

1. SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING MOUNT ELBRUS Climb to the top of Europe's highest peak, 18,510-foot Mount Elbrus, then ski back down, James Bond style, on this 15-day expedition. ($3,975 per person, June 12-26; Mountain Madness, 800-328-5925, www.mountainmadness.com)

2. BACKPACKING KAMCHATKA Spend nine days trekking amid the snowcapped, steam-belching Klyuchevskaya volcanoes. You'll cross pine-and-birch woodland, tundra, and lava fields before ascending 9,453-foot Bezymianny. (From $3,095 per person, July 19-31; KE Adventure Travel, 800-497-9675, www.keadventure.com)

3. RAFTING THE KATUN RIVER Since 1989, Steve Currey has guided clients on southern Siberia's Class II-IV Katun. This rafting expedition (120 miles in 11 days) starts deep in the Altay Mountains and ends at the resort village of Chemal; you'll fly-fish for taimen and soak in riverside saunas along the way. ($3,995 per person, August 20-September 1; Steve Currey's Expedition Company, 800-968-1711, www.expeditioncompany.net)

4. REINDEER HERDING IN THE FAR EAST In this 21-day excursionary trek throughout the Republic of Yakutia, you'll swap campfire tales with Evenki nomads, helicopter into remote villages, and get your fill of reindeer stew. (From $6,995 per person, June 10-30; Geographic Expeditions, 800-777-8183, www.geoex.com)

5. TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPLORER Cross the country from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok in 27 days—sailing on Lake Baikal, hiking in northern Siberia, and buzzing Kamchatka by helicopter. (From $9,795 per person, July 11-August 6; Wilderness Travel, 800-368-2794, www.wildernesstravel.com)


Intro | The Russian Revolution | Untapped Frontiers: Karelia, the Kola Peninsula, & the Caucasus | Untapped Frontiers: The Subarctic Urals, Putorana Plateau, and the Altay Mountains | Untapped Frontiers: Lake Baikal, the Sayan Mountains, Kamchatka, & the Commander & Kuril Islands | Going It Alone: A User's Guide | Outfitted Trips

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