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OUTLINE OF THE EXPEDITION

For the first time in the history of polar exploration, an expedition is launched with the challenge of linking the North Cape to the Bering Strait, crossing the whole of the Continental Arctic via the Eurasian coastline and using traditional modes of trasport. This savage and unprecedented route of over 10 000 km will take us on foot, by kayak, on skis, by reindeer and dog driven sleds from the Atlantic to the Pacific, comprising a 3 year journey above the polar circle. This long voyage will have an exploratory taste as a large part of the route is located in strictly controlled frontier zones. The ARKTIKA expedition will therefore be making a journey never yet attempted.

Gilles Elkaim, the project leader, will be the sole team member to undertake the whole of the journey without interrruption. Two or three other participants will come and join him according to the summer stages. The winter stages will be undertaken solo, pulling a 100 kg loaded sled or driving a team of reindeers or husky dogs for eight months. For three years , Gilles must navigate along inhospitable coastlines, cross vaste barren regions, endure the extreme temperatures of the long polar night and adapt himself during three winters to the Tundra nomads ancestral way of life.

The expedition's administrative organisation, along with logistics and safety have been entrusted to the Moscow "Adventure Club" team, led by Dmitry Shparo, first man to conquer the North Pole on skis and first adventurer to cross the Bering Strait in winter. The club will help the expedition transfer its equipment twice a year, that is to say at the end of each stage. A team in charge of communications in France will distribute articles, photographs and films of this adventure throughout the whole of the journey.

Up until now, few non motorized expeditions have managed to cross the North-East Passage linking the two oceans. All these expeditions (Bering, Nordenskjöld, Amundsen,...) were maritime. None have yet succeeded in crossing the continent by the coastline of the glacial arctic ocean.

OBJECTIVES

Make the first complete crossing of the Arctic from the Atlantic to the Pacific, by the Eurasian coastline, representing a three year's journey and over 10 000 km on foot, by kayak, on skis and by dog or reindeer sleds. This long voyage will in some way reproduce the migratory wave of the Paleo Asiatic peoples towards the New World.

• Explore civilized man's capacity to re-adapt to an ancestral way of life
• Produce three real adventure type video films on the expedition's annual events. Each of 26 min duration, Beta SP format.

ETHNOGRAPHICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL

• Reveal the condition of the Asiatic Tundra peoples and their traditional richness.
• Measure the impact of industrial exploitation (petrol, natural gas, ore) on the fragile arctic ecosystem.
• Produce and distribute an 80 min film conference type big screen multivision presentation on the expedition.
• Write three works: expedition account and album as well as a book on the peoples of the Asiatic Tundra.