Traversing from Progress Base to Vostok Station is a major annual Russian Antarctic operation, involving a 1350 km tractor-train convoy carrying fuel, supplies, and personnel during the summer months across the East Antarctic ice sheet. The route, challenging due to soft snow, crevasses, and extreme weather, moves inland from the coast to Vostok’s high polar plateau, making Progress the logistical “capital” for inland transport. Heavy-duty tracked vehicles, often Pistenbully tractors, pulling sledges are used for the approximately 1350 kilometers (about 840 miles) “Raid-Traverse” to resupply Vostok Station, the furthest Russian base from the sea, with essential fuel, food, equipment, and personnel rotations. The journey involves navigating soft snow, whiteout conditions, potential crevasses, and severe cold, requiring meticulous planning and powerful vehicles.
Starting from Progress on the coast (Prydz Bay) and heading inland to Vostok Station on the polar plateau, the initial coastal section can be difficult, but conditions often improve further south with more stable snow. Navigation relies on pre-established markers, GPS, and sometimes pre-exploration by helicopter to identify hazards like crevasses.
This yearly trek is vital for sustaining Vostok’s scientific operations, including its famous ice-core drilling projects.
This year, Alex Turkeev UG1A (ex RD1AV) signing RI1ANI is well involved in the Progress -Vostok Scientific-Logistic Traverse.
Landed at Novolazarevskaya (WAP RUS-Ø9) in early November, Alex has been active from there for few days signing RI1ANI then, he moved to Progress (WAP RUS-11) from where the Raid-Traverse has started at beginning December heading to Vostok Station (WAP RUS-13).
Alex is among the crew and has already been active twice (CW) from his sledge cabin and the trip is still going on. When at Vostok Station, Alex plan is to stay there for about 40 days.
Picture aside show Alex on his radio room inside the raid sledge.
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TNX Alex RI1ANI and François F8DVD