The Prowess of Siberian Mosquitoes
- By Max Janicek
- July 09, 2009
Max's leg
Once upon a time in Cherskii, Siberia, a group of ambitious ecology students attempted to better understand the remote and beautiful landscape they had the privilege to visit. Little did they know, there was a predator here long before they arrived. A predator more formidable than a grizzly and more bloodthirsty than a vampire.
The mosquitoes here are out of this world. In the mere seconds after we got of the airplane, they were upon us in hordes. These buzzers are huge. Small aircraft in fact. It is rare that you can leave the sanctuary of indoors without the proper protection. Luckily, they are the dumbest insects under the ever-present arctic sun. If someone couldn’t see what we were incessantly slapping, they would take us for a group of motor-impaired delusional spazzes. Our Russian hosts, unbelievably, have made some sort of pact with these winged demons. While we stand around convulsing (in full bug net body armor, mind you), they continue their business without notice, unscathed.
While many of us came seemingly prepared with bug shirts, head nets, gloves, Deet, and all-natural remedies, the mosquitoes of NE Siberia have had their way with many of us. Our first night on the barge, many of us learned the hard way of the necessity of having a pre-bedtime “mosquito safari” in the bunk rooms. Last night, the kill count in our room was 16 (15 of which fell by way of the iron fist of Chris Linder, onboard photographer). Yesterday, on the summit of the local peak Rodenka, a sneak attack by winged insects (mosquitoes and horse flies alike) left us nursing our itchy, inflamed wounds to this very moment.
We are still working out tactical strategy for dealing with these obnoxious little bloodsuckers, but keeping the doors shut on the barge seems to be a good place to start. That, and bathing in Deet and herbal ointments before stepping foot anywhere outside.
Here’s to ointments and other shmeelyveely,
Max and Travis
July 09, 2009 at 7:03 am, Carl Janicek said:
Hey Max, being your Dad I do look forward to seeing your pictures as well as all the others on this blog/site…
Donating blood to the local ecosystem is, and will be, a memorable part of your adventure I am sure …
Not one I expected to see a picture of though… a nice opportunity to see if your first aid kit is useful.. Love ya!
July 09, 2009 at 8:39 am, Susan Drake said:
Travis,
I’m so glad malaria is not endemic in Siberia (it’s not, is it???)… Your posts are hilarious, I can’t stop thinking about meat donuts, Dr. Evil would eat them right? Wearing a meat helmet… Maybe I can make some for you when you get back! Take care and eat your cabbage!
Love, Susan
July 09, 2009 at 6:16 pm, MoMo45 said:
Go Blaize!! haha
July 09, 2009 at 8:37 pm, PolarisProject » Blog Archive » Updated student info, blog pictures said:
[...] PolarisProject « The Prowess of Siberian Mosquitoes [...]
July 13, 2009 at 8:33 am, Nat said:
Max
I have never laughed so hard reading about something. I have recently been attacked my horse flies but not even close to the level u and ur fellow comrades have endured. Reading this made me itch!! Ur leg looks pained and swollen man, u should put some ice on that bad boy.
Miss you much, we shall hang when ur back.
Nat attack.
Ps
Jon and deb vacate the house for a week…. U know what this means!