#23: Walking in Short Legal Windows
After a relentless effort, Karl was granted brief permission to re-enter Russia, sometimes for a few weeks, and other times for a few months. Each visa came with tight restrictions and looming expiration dates. He’d land, pick up his trail where he left off, and walk hard until the clock ran out.

Every mile had to count. He slept less. Ate on the move. Pushed through blizzards and river crossings without pause. It wasn’t just about progress—it was about not wasting rare legal time. These bursts of permission became sprints, not strolls.
