There are many sources of information about Russia (and the whole former USSR) on the Internet, so we do not repeat all the boring things here. What we do though, is providing some kind of information that can be useful for an independent traveler, whitewater-oriented and carrying a large banana-shaped plastic suitcase.
Is it another planet? Visas/permits, time, electricity, language, money...
Transport: do we need lunar vehicle? Air, train, bus...