This primary northern route would follow the exposed coastline, connecting Anton's academic center with the St. Petersburg Refugium. Traversing primarily over the mammoth steppe, this route would rely heavily on woolly mammoth caravans.
Journey time: 3-4 weeks depending on weather
Primary transport: Woolly mammoth caravans with domesticated wolf escorts
Seasonal timing: Most viable during late spring through early autumn
Rest stops: Small seasonal camps established at river mouths every 3-4 days of travel
From Coastal Shelf: Preserved fish, salt, amber, academic texts, scientific instruments
From St. Petersburg: Thermal mineral salts, specialized metalwork forged using geothermal heat, medicinal herbs unique to the thermal microclimate
Cave lion prides that hunt along the mammoth steppe
Seasonal river crossings that can become treacherous during spring melt
Sudden coastal storms that can trap caravans between the sea and inland ice