COGH: next: Zyryanka and then into the mountains

[GailXrunning]

Has anyone else noticed this? Every time I check, our ETA for COGH has moved forwards: first in early June, then tipping into May, then 23rd, now 21st. Amazing! Go! Go!

The intrepid relay team is pushing on south along the Kolyma river, passing the Arctic Circle, and dry soon to arrive at the town of Zyryanka. From there, we turn westwards and southwestwards across a huge stretch of mountainous terrain (initially the Moma and Cherskiy ranges). Presumably it’ll be even colder and far remoter still in those upland passes. 🥶❄️❄️❄️❄️🏔

LINK: Article from Independent on the permafrost melt, covering similar themes to the one from New York Times, but specifically its impact on the local economy around Zyryanka, with (summertime) photos: independent.co.uk/news/long...

The above also includes an image of a diorama of the mountain landscapes to fuel our imaginations in these parts in summer. Googling an image search for Cherskiy/ Chersky Range also rings up an appropriate array of upland snowy wastes.

[RunaroundSue Graduate10]

Yes, I noticed that.

Thanks again for the additional information

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Good to see we are moving southwards, it’ll be a while until we are warm but running keeps us going

[GailXrunning in reply to SueAppleRun]

Maybe the equator!! How are we doing on virtual wildlife spotting?

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to GailXrunning]

Brown bears polar bears sand pipers moose i think i added moose and eagle nope i took the moose out and put the seals in

sites.google.com/view/cogh-...

[GailXrunning in reply to SueAppleRun]

👍 It must be my phone, or just relying on mobile, but I can only see the first page. Will try checking on laptop tomorrow.

Just saw how far we’ve gone today: already crossed the first mountain range!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to GailXrunning]

On my phone i double tap it and get all that’s there, I haven’t added this week 11 hour days mess that right up

[GailXrunning in reply to SueAppleRun]

I can imagine they do! It’s great to see this info. I was thinking of you as I looked the photo of the museum diorama of the uplands (Independent article on Zyryanka).

Off now to try double-tapping. Always something new to learn in the land of tech!

[Granspeed Graduate10]

Fascinating if rather worrying reference. Amazing to realise how well the people had adapted to these freezing temperatures (☃️🥶) which would probably do me in very quickly, so that for them it’s the thawing causing these huge challenges. The concept of “ecological niche” made vivid.

[GailXrunning in reply to Granspeed]

We’re learning so much on this run-walk, and we’ve only just started! It’s fascinating to read about all the different aspects: the environment and wildlife, the weather, the landscapes, the indigenous communities, how humans live, the region’s histories, what the area looks like. And then it’s mind-blowing putting together all these local specificities with the global situation, from climate change to trading.

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

Absolutely. I can feel my brain stretching, I think!

[GailXrunning in reply to Granspeed]

Exercising all parts!

[Charlies1 Graduate10]

Hi GailXRunning, To predict the end date, I use the average daily distance over the last seven days (as people tend to run more at the weekends).

The first few forecasts didn't include a full seven days & didn't include any weekends, so the average daily distance was lower & hence the forecast date was later.

Now that we have a full week of data, I expect the prediction to be more stable from day to day. However, it might come down a little as more people join the run, or if we run more (e.g. HU HM at end of March). Lets see!

[GailXrunning in reply to Charlies1]

Thanks- that’s really insightful. It’ll be so interesting to watch.