On July 15, Matthew Traver, a British-American filmmaker, is taking off on a 10,000-kilometer journey in an attempt to become the first man of this generation to cross Siberia without a vehicle. At the age of only 29, Traver has already traveled through some of the most remote parts of the world — the jungles of Malaysia, the mountains of Greenland, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan, and the steppes of Central Asia. But his "Crossing Siberia" project is the longest, and may be his most challenging venture.

Over three years, Traver will travel over unmapped areas on foot, raft and skis. The journey will begin in Kyzyl of the republic of Tuva and end at the farthest point of Siberia, Cape Dezhnev. The covered distance is equal to the distance from London, England to Cape Town, South Africa. In an interview with The Moscow Times, Traver noted that he might go up to three weeks at a time without seeing anyone. "I cannot be entirely sure on what is out there — I guess that's my reason for going, to see if Siberia is as sparsely populated as I think it is. I think I will be quite surprised."

Inspired by Ivan Moskvitin, a Cossack explorer of the 17th century and the first Russian to reach the Pacific Ocean, Traver wants to experience the journey of his predecessors who completed the same path without 21st-century technology. Although he will have modern technology, such as a GPS and a satellite cellphone, Traver will largely rely on the antique maps of early explorers to guide him through the little-known trails of Siberia.

Matthew Traver's journey can be followed through his Facebook page or website.

Source: The Moscow Times