On Thin Ice: A Siberian Winter’s Walk

In February 2022 Charlie Walker travelled to Far East Russia to undertake a 600-mile hike along a frozen 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

Formerly a journalist on a national paper, Charlie now works full time as an adventurer, writer and speaker. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, recipient of the Transglobe Expedition Trust ‘Mad but Marvellous’ grant, and has spoken to festivals, conferences, schools and travel clubs in several countries. His work has featured in a range of publications including: The Times, the Daily Express, Wanderlust, Travelmag, Travel Africa and Sidetracked.

Find out more about Charlie