Generally most motorists avoid
the roads when they’re icy. However one intrepid traveler has spent a week
driving almost 500 miles across the deepest lake in the world, while it was
completely frozen, called “adventure of a lifetime”. The brave Alexey Trofimov
captured these spectacular pictures as he drove across the 389-mile-long Lake
Baikal in Siberia - dodging cracks in the ice up to two metres wide hidden
under a blanket of snow. The award-winning photographer braved the daring
expedition in an especially adjusted Suzuki Jimny SUV with his friend Nicolas
Demin. Both were underwent specialist training for driving on ice.
Replacing the suspension and
increasing the ground clearance were necessary adjustments for the dangerous
route. The brave friends also fitted extras such as lights and a roof rack to
carry their goods. The 43 years old Alexey, said I always love winter photo
expeditions the risk, and wildlife, the people you are with and the lack of a
complete sense of freedom. I drove approximately 500 miles across the ice and
this fantastic journey took a week. Baikal ice is very perilous because of the
ice's erratic behavior. The trip needs deep knowledge of ice conditions and the
extreme of care. At times we are in the middle of nowhere and more than 100
miles from the nearest town. We knew our families are worried all the time but
they really support us in a courageous way. We’re sure, when our children will
grow up, we will take them with us to teach them survival in the wild and show
them the striking scenery we see. They should know that it is all very brittle
and we should relish it.
Fortunately on our trip, it was
tranquil and only the sun was shining. The weather conditions are
unpredictable, as one moment it was warm and then half an hour later, an icy
wind would start blowing and the temperature drops. The duo motorists had to
vary their speed from about 60mph on smooth ice to as slow as 2mph on rough
passage. When they marked a fresh crack in the ice on Lake Baikal a Unesco Word
Heritage site they had to make a detour for anxiety of falling in the freezing
water below. His spectacular pictures show snow-topped ice blocks changing from
a bright blue glow to a golden glow as the sun sets in the evening.
