From Baikal to Alaska, Irkutsk residents will be able to follow in the footsteps of Siberian merchants

On May 20, a historical and geographic expedition will begin along the route of Siberian merchants from Irkutsk to Fort Ross in California. In two months, participants will cover 10,700 km through Baikal, Yakutia, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Kurils, Kamchatka, the Aleutian Islands, and Alaska. The trip will end with a documentary on the beauty of Siberia, the Far East, and Alaska, and on the history of Russian America. The project aims to recall Irkutsk and the Russian American Company role in developing these lands and draw attention to their heritage.

On May 20, the start of a historical and geographical expedition along the route of Siberian merchants from Irkutsk to Fort Ross (California, USA) is scheduled. The finish is exactly two months later — July 20. The 10,700-km route passes through Lake Baikal, the Lena River, Yakutia, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka, the Aleutian Islands, and Alaska. This was reported by the event coordinators.
As a result of the journey, it is planned to make a documentary film that will reflect all the beauty of Siberia, the Far East, and Alaska, as well as tell the story of Russian America.
In 1798, the Irkutsk Governorate included the territory of Yakutia, Kamchatka, and the Far East. Administration of the territory from the Yenisei to Alaska was carried out from Irkutsk. The city was home to the world’s only Admiralty located deep inland rather than on the seashore. The wealth generated by the merchants of the Russian-American Company largely ensured the rise of the capital of Eastern Siberia and shaped Irkutsk’s significance on the map of the Russian Empire. The merchants organized the first major business association, which ensured the powerful development of Siberia and the Far East.
“Today, the territory of Siberia and the Far East remains sparsely populated and does not have real strategic projects capable of ensuring the development of this territory,” the organizers said.
By the way, applications to participate in the expedition are already coming in, but not everyone who wants to will be able to take part. Since this requires financial costs, and the participant must be prepared not only physically but also psychologically.
The goal of this project is to increase interest in the history of Russian America in Russia and other countries, to identify and popularize successful historical experience in the development of the territory, and to visit wonderful natural places.