Parting words and images from Sarah McNair-Landry as the Vada Expedition comes to a close.

Sarah’s comments from the Kokatat blog.

“As we paddled further into September, the trees began to explode into color while the Mountains crowning the lake became dusted in snow. Lake Baikal has been kind to us; the weather and waves have been docile during the last weeks.

The east coast of the lake is largely populated as the Trans-Siberian runs along the shore, often at dusk we would observe fishermen in dories taking to the lake to set their nets. The populated shore line allowed us to encounter many local fishermen; often such nights involved the consumption of raw fish and vodka. As we came around the southern tip of the lake and started heading back up north we left the train and the civilization behind. Big cliffs towered out of the lake, only a couple valleys provided enough place for a small town to install itself.

We caught our last glimpse of the giant lake, as we headed up the Angara River, which was our entry to the booming city of Irkutsk, our final destination. Sadly our paddles are being packed away, and soon the three months we spent paddling Mongolia and Russia will fade into memories.” – Sarah McNair-Landry.

Visit the expedition website at www.expeditionvada.com