Mods, please move the thread if this is the wrong section - thanks
Project: Investigating and get inside Chernobyl
Hi all, first let me say that
a) I am not crazy
b) I understand the risks
c) I have the papers needed to go in
My plan is to get into the "dead zone", photograph it, investigate it and just see it with my own eyes. Talking to (crazy) people that live there,
searching for mutations of plants and animals due to the radiation etc.
When i first told the plan to my girlfriend - she said that I am totally crazy and that she would never allow me to do so. Well 2 years later, she
will join me. She is currently finishing her study in Ecology and Bio-Technology, so
she can provide good background on plants and animals.
To make the long story short, let's answer to most of the questions you will ask me:
MORE DETAILS UPON REQUEST (by U2U or in this thread)
WHY?
Chernobyl is the one and only place on earth after a major sitX - remained untouched. A place without people, without cars, without people - a place,
where history remained still decades ago. You get he chance to visit it with your own eyes - without the military at your back (I am not talking about
a military guided journey), without restrictions - you're only depending on yourself and on you knowledge - you take risks or you don't. It's up to
you.
Of course, i can't post any good reason to do this. Maybe it's the drill or the fear of the risk, the unknown, i don't know. But I know that some
people will understand me.
HOW?
We will be traveling with one or (if more people join) two jeeps (one '99 Mercedes G-Class, one 2002 Land Rover Defender)in order to explore
locations even outside the road and to have enough space for our gear. I am currently buying all sortsof technical gear, machines and other things
required for our safety. I can make a more detailed list for people who will join us. First we will drive to Kiev, stay one night to rest and then
continue to the "dead zone" (aprox. 130km from Kiev).
We are still thinking about how long to stay there, so this is a matter of later decision. We are still searching for the best rout to explore the
whole area.
WHO?
Me, 26 years old, my girlfriend 22 years old and a friend scientist of mine - 29 years old. Any ATS member who want to participate can contact me via
U2U or in this thread.
RISKS
Please use
Google to inform yourself about the radiation risks, but long story short:
A short visit poses little health risk -- it takes years for radiation to build up in the human body to a degree that will cause cancer, and radiation
maps of the exclusion zone clearly highlight no-go areas. Visitors are equipped with an official government guide and a hand held Geiger counter; all
food and water consumed in the zone is shipped in from the outside. Produce grown in the area's radioactive soil makes for an especially effective
method of delivering radioactive isotopes directly into the bloodstream and bone marrow. But the dangers can't be seen. And other than the eerie
desertion of the cities and villages in the exclusion zone, the disaster and contamination the Chernobyl disaster visited on the area remains
completely invisible.
Of course, we won't step into the reactor f.e. - still, we aren't that crazy.
WHEN?
MAI 2009 - in order to have enough time to prepare. Please be aware, that there have to be a special permission for every person who wants to enter
the "dead zone" - it's a long process but it costs only 90$ so that is not a problem. Since we are representing a Bulgarian scientific organization
access will be granted to everyone who wants to join us, we will assist you.
JOIN?
Since we want this to be a scientific journey to Chernobyl and not just a journey it will be good for you to be
useful in order to join us.
We don't need money, you will only pay your ticket to Kiev and your permission. It would be good if you have a degree or experience in Microbiology,
Ecology, Archeology, Geology - this direction.
Basics in Russian language is required. This expedition is not "just for fun".
Since we have only two car's at our disposal the group should not be larger then
5 people - so we have 2 free places.
Because I am not really sure if someone will be interested i posted just a very small summary of the whole thing, I don't want to waste my and your
time. So if there is more interest i will be more specific.
Greetings,
George
[edit on 1/8/08 by absente]