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Monday, 16 January 2017

40 Years Isolated

Just a short post today. 
I came across this story a few years ago but think it's so incredible that I tend to read it again every year, it's about a Russian family that, to escape religious persecution, disappeared into the heart of Siberia. 
What helicopter pilot saw 150 miles from the nearest settlement
They grabbed what they could and in 1936 headed off into the wilderness. They lived in such isolation that they didn't even know about World War 2 , it was a full 40 years before they were discovered. 


What I think is really incredible is just their shear survival, growing what they could and living on the brink of starvation, saving just enough seed to grow food for the following year and eating the rest. 
I'm sure many of you have come across this story before as it has been shared on many blogs (I think I came across it first on Gorges blog many years ago) and news sites but if you haven't then the article is well worth a read. 

What other stories of survival do you find amazing?
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15 comments:

  1. Sol16 January 2017 at 12:01

    When you fear for your life and every aspect of your life is your religion, people will go to the ends of the earth for their families. Walk thousands of miles, with small children. Not to be too political, but this is happening right now in Syria. Not into the wilderness, but to the west where they think they will not have to fear for their lives. All quite scary that humans have learnt nothing since 1936.

    Great article. My Gran would have read this with great interest. I will reread it later.

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    1. Kev Alviti16 January 2017 at 14:56

      It's mad that migration like this is still going on and that we still judge people purely for their beliefs

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  2. Tracy 16 January 2017 at 12:18

    I am going to read this - I have not heard of it before so thank you for sharing.

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  3. Jason and Michelle16 January 2017 at 13:16

    I read that article a couple months ago. It was amazing to me.

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  4. Living Alone in Your 60's16 January 2017 at 14:33

    Brilliant article, the daily Mail had a similar one about a forest tribe that came out of the bush with spears ready to attack. They had never seen white people or cameras.

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    1. Kev Alviti16 January 2017 at 14:54

      Probably regretting not attacking if they didn't about now...

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  5. Tim B. Inman16 January 2017 at 14:41

    There is a Youtube documentary on this (Lost in the Taiga). Absolutely fascinating to watch!

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  6. Harry Flashman16 January 2017 at 15:17

    Never heard of these folks before, but that sounds pretty hard core. I can stay up here on the mountain for a week or even two then I get ancey and go into town.

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  7. Janice16 January 2017 at 15:23

    What an incredible story! In many ways very sad. I wonder if they kept going back to check on Agafia and if she is still alive? Amazing!!

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  8. northsider 16 January 2017 at 16:58

    Fascinating read Kev. Imagine making your own society, even world and being totally self reliant.

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  9. Cottontailfarm17 January 2017 at 02:26

    I've been thinking about this all day today and it just makes me so sad. Can't really pinpoint "why".

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  10. Cro Magnon17 January 2017 at 05:32

    Amazing story, both sad and encouraging.

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