DRIVING to the RUSSIAN BORDER

[@colinmccourt1571]

Just remember that without failure you would never know what success truly is! Another wonderful video. Love the remote roads.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

I agree, more is learned from failure, that is success

[@bobroberts6155]

I love the amount of effort he puts into showing us one identical location after another travelling roads that all look the same.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

I could of faked it and just driven same road a few times in different weather.

[@bobroberts6155]

@@MispronouncedAdventures Ha ha, we know you’re the genuine article, it’s why we keep watching.

[@Chris-ut6eq]

This video was a successful. Exploration has challenges and the explorer must simply adapt and move on. Keep on moving on!

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

More as learnt from failure than success, plus it opened the door for what happens in the next video

[@tormis1987]

Greetings from Estonia then. I have driven a lot in sweden and Norway. At the winter time there are tons and tons of moose and reindeer on the road. Can't even calculate how many near misses i have had in the years iv drove there.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Seen quite a few reindeer this season, but only two Moose. Definitely the reason extra auxiliary lighting is important!

[@MrThecorp]

Rather interesting talk about border situation now in retrospectively thinking...

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

This was filmed Feb 2023. Nothing much had changed up there since the start of the war, the border guards I meant in the next video were pretty chatty. However whilst I was Norway for this, with Finland joining NATO, it might of changed now for the 3 countries cairn I visited, or it might of not

[@barbarawhiteside6126]

Completely insane lol but loving watching your adventures. Fantastic scenery that most of us won't get to see first hand but honestly feel I'm right there with you. Absolutely compulsive viewing!

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Glad you’re enjoying the adventure. It is pretty stunning up here

[@richardbroom4324]

A man who never made a mistake , never made anything! All a good game

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Completely agree, you learn far more from failure than you ever will from a success

[@martinberry8546]

There are no failures just deferred success 😀

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

I definitely enjoy that terminology

[@asaandthemarchharepart2903]

Arctic Alex's Adventures 😁 That focus on that phone is nuts. I was wondering what it was doing. Looking forward to watching the next episode. Keep having a wonderful adventure. Safe Travels Bud

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

The focus thing I think is to do with contrast on some of the very light flat scenes so overcast and getting dim. There seems to be more contrast in the glass with the heating elements. Then what’s outside in the snow

[@wheelsadventures3436]

Wonderful adventure yet again, regardless the failure of the road closure Can't wait for the next video 💯👏🤗

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Cheers guys :) I guess this road closure led to the next adventure

[@phillipcraddock8248]

GREAT ADVENTURE,THANKS FOR THE RIDE

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Thank you

[@rudivandoornegat2371]

Sometimes the landscape feels like a winter wonderland and sometimes dangerously desolate.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Definitely a mix of both!

[@karlmabe1649]

Still very interesting to see saw a sign saying Russland

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

A surprise but makes total sense to see signs directing to Russian cities

[@samboboutdoors4991]

Yet another great video. They're coming through thick and fast. Great fun watching your escapades and solutions to issues. Big thumbs up from us 👍

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Glad your enjoyed it. doing my best to keep a busy release schedule whilst on the trip

[@vantabulouslife5704]

we've had Scott of the Antartic, now we have Alex of the Artic :) lol. loving your adventures mate

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Alex of the Arctic! I like it!

[@neilclarke6419]

Amazing Alex such brilliant visual what an amazing place, thank you it’s appreciated

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Thank you very much for watching! Everything up here just looks stunning

[@garybennett900]

Epic as ever Alex can't wait for the next one, safe travels

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Next episode is a good one!

[@kevinkays9636]

Definitely go for some secondhand XC skis. It's not as hard as you'd expect and very worth it.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

That would of made my life easier for sure. I have XC skied before in Finland but I just didn’t only a set. I will think about it for next year

[@kendexter]

Are you back up here north this winter as well !! -40c you will find far from the coast ,inland like Karasjok kautokeino Skjold inset Bardu

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

I’m been up the winter of February/March 2022 and the winter of January/February 2023. However I’ve had to come back to uk in March for work. I’ll be back in winter 2024 as well

[@davidpatrick1813]

fun plus fun equals funs

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

It was fun even if I failed

[@cyndeeh]

Excellent vid!

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Thank you 😊

[@DIOS-M]

You're a tough guy. I even freeze at -7 degrees in Moscow in winter, and it's much warmer in Moscow than in the places where you've been

[@davidireland6510]

Great vid Alex!

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Thank you for watching

[@Paulsvanlife]

Nice one Alex 👍 Failed so try again next year

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Definitely about the journey and not the destination

[@ladymc2021]

Love this footage so much! Do you need to have a Drone commercial license only in order to do this kind of footage? Especially if making money on you tube?

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

There are lots of factors on that. On that question. Location of the flight, flights country of license. Weight of drone. “ KZbin” can be considered a grey area even more of small channel like mine ( not the case in ever country ) . Filming like you had been hired by a company to get footage would definitely be commercial, KZbin videos i guess are a sliding mix of content being a hobby for small channels which don’t make money or a real income, definitely commercial for large ones. I’d say I don’t know. If I make 1 cent of a video when that make is commercial? As far as I’m aware, I’ve got the appropriate license and weight of drone to be doing what I’m doing

[@borntraveller007]

That was the King Oscars chapel place I mentioned to you on your last trip and where I'm riding to in May on my Honda C90. What a shame the road was closed, gutted😥 I had planned to drive to that bottom border crossing go into Russia and come back via St Petersburg and into Estonia but that won't happen now, but I will drive down to that border crossing because why not😁 Just got to dodge wild bears in the summer and try not to be eaten.😬

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Yeah it was a real shame I wasn’t able to reach it. I was within about 20 miles. Maybe next year, I will come back with some sort of snow transportation. yes, I did also see at the three country border area has a very high population of brown bear !

[@mikebourke1185]

Alex you won't be Defecting this time .. I Can't imagine that too many people from the UK have made this Trip in Winter .. Stay Free and Safe Travels 😀 👍 🙏

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Not many people at all go there in the winter!

[@mikebourke1185]

@@MispronouncedAdventures I could well imagine.. How about a drive to India 🇮🇳 or.that region 🤔

[@ajisroadtrippin5505]

Still a great episode despite the failures. Either way, it was cool to come along with you to almost Russia. I hope things settle down soon so the borders there open back up. I'd love to go one day. Safe travels. 😊🚚

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

I do hope one day as well it’s a place I would love to visit it’s so vast and varied

[@pavel9652]

Do you think "things will settle down soon" after the war? They showed their complete savage nature on so many levels and are now military, fascist regime that will remain threat to neighbor countries in foreseeable future, until next war in Ukraine.

[@terrynewey5313]

Great vlog again Alex but how are you coping with diesel as you don't seem to be passing any gas stations

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Fuel station are not really an issue. Lots of them about

[@charlenechua6073]

Oh my on the caption

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

😁

[@HMD2020]

Could you please specify the name of the bird that you mention at 3:33? Thank you.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

ptarmigan

[@HMD2020]

@@MispronouncedAdventures Got it, thanks 👍

[@ovekkjlstad7703]

Driving alone around like that in remote areas in winter timemakes me unease. You might be well equipt but it do not show. As a (South) Norwegian I would have become a prepper before I would do that. Stuffed the van with everything you need when you travel to the moon.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Never really that alone on these roads. plenty of Norwegians live in that area even though it is somewhat sparse, they’re on major roads. As for prepared, by trade work as an expedition leader for the last 10 years taking clients all over the globe to remote places and extreme environments, winter and high altitude cold included. I’ve got plenty of personal winter kit for me in the van, down too a 5 season winter sleeping bag I’ve needed. ( I go camping in the new video ), I’ve got satellite comms with me as well. As for the van itself . I’ve got plenty of back up options, electrics wise and full spares of both the engine preheated and diesel air heater plus how to fix them and replace them.

[@NOMAD-LEISURE]

crazy trip loving it. Still no stickers yet Alex?

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Not yet

[@Riitmi]

Is there any chance you could add timestamps to your clips? Would be interesting to know what time of year/day the clips take place.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

It’s something I might be able to add to the description, I can’t change videos after they are post. This video takes place at the end of January 2023

[@flickit6825]

Being a mechanic and knowing them transit engines I really wouldn’t risk being in the middle of no we’re with that engine 😂 you got balls 😂

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

This model of van and the 2.0 are Popular van up here as well. I’m not particular concerned

[@pavel9652]

Bigger issue is RWD. I am by no means a winter off-road expert, but he is pushing the limits ;) I am curious if he had some basic recovery equipment such as shovel and track pads.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

@@pavel9652 RWD isn’t an issue, in the context of a van, it’s far superior to FWD. FWD in a car is better in winter because the heaviest part the engine over the front drive wheels. In the case of a van, particularly a campervan, there is far more weight over the rear axle which is the drive wheels. Obviously AWD, but traction has never been a issue. As for equipment, I have enough personal winter equipment to sleep outside the van if needed ( which is did this winter ) , snow shovels and the rest of my avalanche kit and winter climbing, satellite equipment, and spares, and repairs for most major equipment is also with me. I don’t currently have traction boards ( I have used them in the past ), but they’re not a day-to-day item for the Nordic people up here, I don’t tend to go too much further afield than the standard Nordic person. I did talk about in other videos about the potential of installing a hidden bumper, winch and other recovery options for future trip. Basic recovery equipment at best, could be improved for next. However, I have yet to get myself into position I can’t get out, plus if I am truly stuck, I have multiple communications, options and enough power and heat to keep the van going for days.

[@pavel9652]

@@MispronouncedAdventures Thanks for the response and great videos! RWD is better than FWD for the reasons you mentioned. I meant AWD, but I understand it isn't easy to get such van as they are rare and expensive. I think the rear wheels skid at least twice in the video, including the moment before you went off the road, but I see you know what you are doing and it was a minor issue ;)

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

@@pavel9652 ah no worries, I would love a AWD, not because I feel rear wheel drive is limiting, but I would love to take it further. But you are very correct that it is rare and expensive. Can add up to £10k in cost!

[@Alivefrom45]

You may see it as a failure, i see it as an adventure in the snow.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

That’s definitely one way of looking at it

[@wrzlygummidge]

Another brilliant episode Alex, nice one. Let's not make any assumptions about the gender of the reindeer :) atb

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Haha true, although on a slight, nerdy, fact, male and female reindeer’s antlers have different structures to them, depending on gender and age

[@amacmedia3221]

Another great video Alex. See your auxbeam cube amber lights, on the top of your bonnet, would you be able to keep them on when traffic is coming towards you or are they too bright? I’m looking for fogs so just curious

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

I actually experimented with this exact thing. Usually I would turn them off at oncoming traffic, but a few nights recently I left them on and driving no single person flashed me, unlike the occasional times I forget to turn off my main light bars!

[@amacmedia3221]

@@MispronouncedAdventures many thanks for this Alex. Do auxbeam make the brackets to fit onto the bonnet? I was up in kirkenes a few winters back as well at in Lapland do really enjoying your travels. Take care mate

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

@@amacmedia3221 the bonnet bracket are made by a UK company called Wheeliams. Just a generic brackets come with the aux beam lights

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

@@amacmedia3221 it’s all pretty wonderful up here in the north!

[@amacmedia3221]

@@MispronouncedAdventures I’ll check them out right now, much appreciated sir

[@lindajames7759]

Really enjoyed watching your failures 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Glad to hear! Important to show not everything goes well

[@trondellingmichalsen4957]

Nice video, but that is not, repat not a snowstorm.

[@richiebainbridge2608]

Yep still mad !

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Indeed

[@tonystrange7224]

Great video Alex, and I wouldn’t call them failures, more like first attempts. As for going into Russian, for me that will now always be a no as my wife is British born Ukrainian and As you can imagine, Russia is a bit of a swear word in our house at the moment. Anyway, l look forward to the next episode and to see if you made it. All the best and take care.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

I never intended to cross into at this time. I can only do my best to try and even imagine the difficulty and complexity of Ukrainian Russian relations at the moment. It is a shame a regime has done that to a entire nation.

[@odainjo]

Close the area where the russian soldier from the wagner group escaped from russia to norway.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Indeed it was, I just looked up the story. He is seeking asylum & wishes to testify and no be sent back to Russian for his own safety.

[@GormHornbori]

Actually, in the winter, only the female reindeer have antlers.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Interesting, I didn’t know males shed their antlers that time time of year

[@demil3618]

No no, that wasn’t a failure. That!s adventure, doesn’t always go to plan. A real failure would have been to get stuck, engine frozen, batteries flat and nobody coming along to jump-start you….or accidentally driving into Russia, being caught and sent to a gulag. 😁

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Driving into Russia would be more of an international incident opposed to just a failure 😂

[@juha1to6]

Cool but dude use kilometers

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Unfortunately as a Brit is not possible I have to continually switch been them. Miles for driving, kilometres for walking

[@karlmabe1649]

They must wonder whats a brit wondering around here for haha

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Wait till the next video! It was definitely a odd sight seeing a Brit this far north east at this time of year!

[@garyhay695]

Heading to Russia when the liklihood is they would simply arrest you if you did get there, you are British and we are supporting Ukraine in their fight for freedom. I know your just a traveler but you have to consider the world political climate. Wish you all the best but seriously bad move during current climate

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

I have no intention of crossing into Russia. Illegally or legal, a previous trip in 2021 we did look into the options of driving around from Finland to Estonia via Russia, but visas and insurance were difficult. There are no issues being in this boarder areas here these Norway/Russia where I had intended to travel they are publicly accessible with park ups, a church I was recommended to visit and a fishing village with a ferry port. Life goes on as normal there.

[@garyhay695]

@@MispronouncedAdventures Very good to hear, I have driven that same border crossing from Finland into Russia to fish on the Kola Pennisula rivers, was amazing place to go like driving back in time to 70's. Roads were a disaster but driveable and the people were the friendliest you could ever want to meet. Fishing was great, but would not even go near the border these days, it's such a disaster the war and makes zero sense but it will affect the Russians more over time however it turns out. I hope it ends soon and life in Ukraine returns to what it should be they did not deserve this nor do the Russian people