Travels in Kamtschatka, during the years 1787 and 1788, Volume 2

by Jean-Baptiste-Barthélemy Lesseps

"Travels in Kamtschatka, during the years 1787 and 1788, Volume 2" by Lesseps is a historical account written in the late 18th century. This work details a journey across Siberian landscapes and interactions with the indigenous peoples of the Kamchatka Peninsula, offering insights into their cultures and the challenges of the travel experience itself. The narrative likely focuses on the author's explorations, encounters with various tribes, and the harsh realities of traveling in such an unforgiving environment. At the start of the second volume, the author recounts his departure from Poustaretsk, accompanied by soldiers and local guides. He describes the treacherous travel conditions on icy terrain, where he and his companions face constant threats of injury while navigating the landscape. The narrative unfolds with a series of events highlighting the author's physical exhaustion and illness, but also his resilience and encounters with local tribes, including the Koriacs and Tchoukchis. The opening portion emphasizes the author's survival instinct, cultural interactions, and the implications of his diplomatic mission amidst the raw and elemental challenges of nature and human relationships in Kamchatka.