Siberian explorer Phil Sturgeon of Southwell loses passport in the mail ahead of expedition to Lake Baikal
A Siberian explorer has been left looking for his passport after it disappeared in the mail.
Southwell resident Phil Sturgeon has been on expeditions to Arctic Norway, walked 634km across the world’s largest frozen lake, Lake Baikal in Siberia, and even taken part in the Spine race.
However, his next trip is due to take place on March 1 where he is planning to attempt to walk Lake Baikal again, but this time alone.
He said: “The trip this time is different because I will be doing it on my own which means I’ll have more stuff to carry. I will also be going 80 kilometres further this time.”
The expedition is to be completed a week faster than what Sturgeon managed last time with his companion, Ash Routen.
“I just want more of a challenge,” he explained.
More of a challenge is exactly what he has got.
The planned expedition may have to be cancelled because Mr Sturgeon’s visa to enter Russia and his passport have disappeared.
He applied for the visa at the Russian Embassy on December 1.
He was required to leave his passport with the embassy with the plan to have it returned once the visa was accepted.
The application was posted back on February 4 due to arrive with the 51-year-old the next day.
Unfortunately, these two vital items never arrived.
“This has been a huge dilemma,” he said. “It’s lost, it could just be missing or stolen. The situation has put me in limbo. I have been contacting the Royal Mail to try and find it.” With 13 days until the expedition is supposed to take place, he admitted the trip seems unlikely. He added: “I’ve spent a lot of money on my kit and gear and I have done all the training for it. If the visa and passport turns up, I will be over the moon.” However, if the Royal Mail cannot locate the missing items, he will miss the optimal time to take on the expedition this year as the ice will begin to break in late March and early April as the weather warms.
Mr Sturgeon admitted: “I need a miracle.”