10 Facts: What’s It’s Like in the ‘Coldest Place on Earth’

People in South Dakota shiver at the thought of a 'polar vortex' descending from the north to blanket the Rushmore State in a frozen state. It's not uncommon. But despite our recent cold snap here in the Dakotas, here comes a chilling reminder that we, even though it may seem like it, are not the coldest place on the planet.

That well-earned title belongs to a small town in Russia that lies a hundred or so miles from the Arctic Circle. The nearest city is nearly 600 miles away - a drive that will take 2 days - so it's literally in the middle of nowhere.

Oymyakon averages -58° F in the winter months. In fact, one day in February of 1933, this frosty village earned its rightful title as the "Coldest Place on Earth" when the thermometer nearly snapped at -90°!

Here are some interesting facts about living in Oymyakon:

Planes can not land in the winter months. No pilot will risk the aircraft - or lives - to land there.

It's completely dark 21 hours a day.

One guy named Amos froze his thumb solid taking pictures of the town.

Because indoor plumbing tends to freeze up for months on end, people still use outhouses. I'm no longer worried about his thumb.

Cars are left running all the time or they simply will not start again.

The diet of the people who live there consists of frozen fish, arctic hare, and have been known to make reindeer blood ice cubes with macaroni for lunch.

Residents must warm the ground with a bonfire for several days before burying their dead.

It's hard to imagine a convenience store without Sunny D, ice tea, or Little Debbie snack cakes, but the general store in Oymyakon supplies matches, heating fuel, jumper cables, and lots of alcohol.

Their huskies won't start and polar bears just want to snuggle. (I made that one up)

After reading this (and looking at the studio thermometer with an outdoor reading of 1°F) there will be no complaining from me.

Source and photos at Wired.com. Make sure to scroll through the pics and note the petrol station located on the road to Oymyakon. Plus, if the photo of the outhouse doesn't make you thankful for indoor plumbing, check your brain.

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