Jeschke might have had better conditions for this expedition in previous years, when larger polar ice caps made the Bearing Straight a bit more drivable. Still, with elaborate flotation systems, and tires specially designed for aquatic propulsion, the Jeeps—which run on bioethanol and use bio-derived greases— look to be up to the challenge.

I'm a pretty big fan of these excursions, but to see one designed to draw attention both the to problem of climate change and to the technologies that could provide possible solutions makes it all the more interesting. With questions still lingering over the performance of carbon-friendly fuels, to see them tested on such a massive scale and in such harsh conditions is truly inspirational.