Kayak Adventure in Siberia: The first solo circumnavigation of Lake Baikal

(The adventures can be seen on his YouTube Channel 1life4outdoor.)

Not everyone dares to realize a life off the beaten track in an increasingly uncertain world and to actually fulfill ones dreams. Henschel is one who has been practicing this for tens of years without fear – ‘well almost, to know what exists beyond the horizon before the Grim Reaper comes,' as he says himself. He is able to implement his minimalist plans into great and brilliant adventures. In this special case: 62 days alone in a kayak on the eastern Siberian Lake Baikal. This deepest lake in the world (1,642 m) is located north of Mongolia with a coastline of 2,000 kilometers and is not necessarily a safe area due to its inhabitants and wildlife.

The clash of different cultures, the complications that come with it, such as constant encounters with hungry bears, the Russian mafia and the natives like Evenks and Buryats made it a real ordeal 24/7 for him. But the unique landscape, his discovery of the ‘soul' of the Baikal, which is called ‘Fountain of the Earth' by the natives together with the physical sensation of his surroundings 'while sliding around the lake with my butt on its surface' was the reward:

Henschel tells of it – self-critical, honest, ironic and awesome to his environment. Once started, reading this book fascinates, it wakes you longing to realize your own dreams and see this fascinating part of the earth with your own eyes.