So given how close the United States and Russia are, is it possible to cross from one to another up there? The short legal answer is no - unfortunately. But the longer answer is that is it extremely difficult and dangerous but it has been down - by hiking, swimming, and rowing. But if one does do it, be sure to learn some essential Russian phrases before going!
During the last glacial maximum, what is today Russia and the United States were linked via the Bering Land Bridge - the remanents of which are preserved in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve in Alaska.
How Close Are Russia and America? The Diomede Islands
Many people may not realize just how close the United States is to Russia. It feels for both the Russians and Americans that the other country is a world away. That's mostly because most Russians live in the European side of Russia, while the vast majority of Americans live in the Lower 48.
Even folks in Alaska don't feel close to Russia as Alsaka is massive and the parts of the state that are close are incredibly remote. On the other side are also only incredibly remote parts of Russia.
The closest parts of American land to Russian land are the American Little Diomede Island and the Russian Big Diomede islands. These are in the middle of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia's Siberia and are only 2.2 miles or 3.5 kilometers from each other.
- Population: Little Diomede Has A Native Population of 83
There is a native population on Little Diomede Island in the "City of Diomede."
Distance From Russia to the United States:
- Between The Diomede Islands: 2.2 Miles
- Between The Mainlands: 55 Miles
During the Cold War, the border here between America and the USSR was known as the "Ice Curtain." In 1987 American woman Lynne Cox became the first person to swim from Little Diomede to Big Diomede (thus from the USA to the USSR). She was jointly congratulated by the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan for helping thaw Cold War tensions.
- International Date Line: The International Date Line Runs Between Big and Little Diomede Islands
The Bering Strait Is Incredibly Treacherous
The Bering Sea is one of the most dangerous patches of water for small craft in the world. It has shallow depth (meaning shorter and more powerful waves), volatile weather, and extremely cold sea temperatures (one will die very quickly in it).
- Bering Sea: One of The Most Dangerous Bodies of Water In The World
Despite the cold northern latitude, due to the strong currents, the ice does not freeze in the winter (so it is not possible to walk across the Bering Strait). The channels clear of ice can become clogged with moving chunks of pan ice - so in those times, it would be theoretically possible to jump from chunk to chunk.
There have only been two such reported crossings. One was in 1998 where a Russian father and son managed to walk to Alaska, but very nearly died in the attempt. The other was in 2006 when an English and an American trekker managed to cross into Russia - they were immediately arrested by the Russian police for entering the country illegally.
Other attempts have ended with helicopter rescues.
- Successful Hikes: There Have Only Been Two Reported Successful Hikes Across the Arctic
Crossing Legally
Otherwise, if one would like to cross legally it is very very difficult. One must enter and leave into an official port of call.
This is very difficult. Not only is it necessary to arrive in Russia in an official port of call, but it is also necessary to depart from an official port of call. We have not heard of any adventurers who have received permission to arrive or depart from the remote shoreline of Russia.
- Providenia: The Closest Official Russian Port
The closest official port to the Bering Strait in Russia is Providenia. That is around 400 kilometers or 250 miles from Alaska. Not only that but one will need to be able to cross 200 kilometers of treacherous open stormy water.
That's not all too. Welcome to Russian bureaucracy. One will need to get permission from the Russian government to arrive in Providenia in a small boat - and that process takes around a year according to Angus Adventures.
- One Year: The Time To Get Russian Approval
The closest part of Russia to Alaska is the autonomous region of Chukotka. This makes matters even worse as it is the last closed part of Russia to foreigners. And it is the home of the port of Providenia. Closed doesn't mean foreigners can't go there, but it does mean that more permissions are required, free travel is not allowed, and strict protocols must be followed when one gets there.
Perhaps it's just easier to get an expedition cruise from Vladivostok in Russia to Anchorage in Alaska or one could just take a chartered flight.