Into the Abyss: Explorers on the Edge of Survival

This is Benedict Allen's tenth book - a fact he reminds us of near the end of the book, after using many, many quotes from his diaries and previous books (along with other explorers) as his inspiration, and to help him focus his efforts in survival. I think that is why we have such an ambiguous title - which doesn't highlight this book is his journey, indicating that it is somehow about i>explorers in a wider context. Really it isn't - he just quotes lots of them.

The authors ambition was to cross from Russia to Alaska - the Bering Strait - by dog sled. This is something that the natives are rumoured to have done at times when the weather is perfect, but only rarely, and never at a whim. Benedict Allen is looking for new goals, not following the footsteps of others, but breaking new ground, and this is what he came up with.

The Russian Far East, Chukotka, is where he borrows his dog team and sledge, builds his rapport with them, learns his way with them, and then ultimately leaves his guides to set out on his own.

Chukotka, the land of the Chukchis, was that unfortunate chunk of the Russian Far East sticking out east towards America, cut off from the remainder of Siberia by mountains and from the rest of the world by icy seas. It had a balmy climate - by Siberian terms - with temperatures dropping to only minus thirty or forty. It was the wind, through, that was the killer. The Chukchi Peninsula, it was said, boasted not a single tree.“Even the ordinary Siberians feel sorry for those Siberians!” chortled a Russian I met in a cafe when I asked his opinion. p13

His guides Yasha and Tolia are both experienced with dog teams, not so much Ivan, his interpreter who is a city man, but all three have their challenges with alcohol. At some point each of them lets Allen down, but equally each proves his worth more times that not.

As much as this book is about the preparation and training (the solo departure happens at page 220, and the book ends around 40 pages later), it is also about the authors mental preparation, and his mechanisms for coping, and thinking his way out of problematic situations.

Personally I found the quotations from his previous experiences, and the quotations from many other explorers too excessive, but they are easy enough to skip over. I enjoyed his affection for his dogs, which grew as he learned more about their distinct personalities. Top Dog, Flashy White, Mad Jack, Jeremy, Bernard, Muttley, Dennis, Frank, Basil and Blot. Each have a role, each provides balance to others.

So does Benedict Allen achieve his goal of crossing the Bering Strait? That would be a spoiler.

3.5 stars, rounded down.