Tripped over this article on the Kolyma Highway from Yakutsk to Magadan on the Pacific coast, formerly known as the "Road of Bones". 1260 miles of near arctic circle winding road through mountains, forest & bleak prairies. Once the walking route of prisoners to Gulags & mines during the Stalinist era. Oymyakon, the 'Pole of Cold', just off the highway at about the halfway point (2nd dot from the left on map), has known a low of -98F & an average January low of -58F.
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Paul any chance of a link to the article please. Don't think many people realise the inhuman treatment thousands of Russians and prisoners of war suffered under Stalin.The Russian people went from one cruel regime to an even worse one when Stalin arrived. -
Was in the New York Times where my son works.
PaulEComment
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A very interesting and thought provoking article Paul. I knew of its existance but very few of the details. Man's inhumanity to man.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
JimComment
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Really good article. It truly seems like some people are born to suffer.Comment
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TIL that Europe stretches to the Pacific Ocean
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Thanks Paul. I've downloaded the article. Also found some photos taken in the summertime of some of the old wooden gulag buildings.Was in the New York Times where my son works.
PaulEComment
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I think Alistair...... (AKA "Road Of Bones" on this site),could probably tell us a lot about it too ,
Cracking article and associated links Paul:thumb2:,
Cheers,
AndyComment
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Thought of him right away. Haven't heard a peep from Sheffield. PaulEComment
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Gents,
I warmly reccommend "The Kolyma tales" by V. Salamov.
The book is cited in the article and is a wonderful piece of literature leaving the reader's heart (mine for sure) with a peculiar sensation of both despair and faith in human nature.
Paul, thank you!Comment
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You're most welcome. PaulEComment
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Paul I've just downloaded the kindle version
Thanks for mentioning this .Comment
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Well, been absent for a bit haven’t I? Sorry about that gents! :flushed:
My nom de plume comes from a song written by my old band (Mantank) all about the Kolyma highway. We got the idea from watching the Ewan McGregor/Charley Boorman series “Long Way Round”, when they travelled the Road of Bones. We found the whole story fascinating.
I’m still here, but to be honest I quite lost my mojo during lockdown, and have done little to no modelling for months. I did buy a new guitar though, and have been playing that rather a lot (plus an awful lot of Call of Duty).
I have started to fiddle with an AMX 10RCR though, so I might share that soon...
Alistair☠️Comment
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Hi Alistair, good to see you back.
Think a lot of people have had a bad time recently, so can appreciate how you feel .
Hang in there.:thumb2:Comment
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Hi Alistair
Great to know you're still around. Our enthusiasm for the hobby goes up and down normally but as John says these strange times make it all worse.
Stay safe
JimComment
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