As, occasionally, question any reader of this "web" on the issue, say that, for next April, I have a new book in bookstores traveler, to which I called "In wild seas (a trip to the Arctic)”. There are no secrets on the site chosen, because the title is already indicated the place where the story goes. Like all good travel, was unforgettable.
But was particularly moving because it contained a challenge: cross the Northwest Passage, sail between the islands, peninsulas and the mainland coasts of the Arctic Ocean, through a shipping channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific in the northern parts of the world.
The importance of Step, tenaciously sought by numerous expeditions that began in the sixteenth century and ended when Roald Amundsen was finally able to cross it in the year 1906, not so much a milestone in the exploration as a discovery of commercial sign, therefore, economic. Travel between Europe and Asia along the Arctic route, in what is known as navigation or the great circle great circle, saves 4.200 miles over the route through the Panama Canal.
There are no secrets on the site chosen, because the title is already indicated the place where the story goes. Like all good travel, was unforgettable.
However, the issue was purely theoretical until recently, almost a pipe dream, because the ice impeded the passage of ships in many parts of the route. But suddenly, in summer 2007 and because of climate change, ice were opened for the first time since there historical reference. And they have continued to open in the three summers following. For nearly two months, boats can sail without interruption between the oceans. And that's what I did on a Russian ship in the year 2008.
So that Europe and Asia are already much closer by sea. But the enormous benefits that entails from a commercial point of view, accompanied by not a few drawbacks. The big oil will continue this route, with the risk of spills and pollution that entails. As there are huge reserves of oil and valuable minerals in the region, neighboring countries-Canada, U.S., Russia and Norway, mainly, enter a relentless pursuit to achieve the highest possible piece of land and water for its sovereignty. And it will, naturally, the establishment of military bases. Polar bears, seals and whales, up there no penguins suffer the harassment of tourists and occasional hunters. And in the deserted islands and windy polar soon find duty free shops.
So, friends, the Arctic also walking towards the desolation.
