Barnacles Loc: Northern California

We've talked about being out in the cold on several other threads, as you might expect. We're outdoorsmen and women, right?

What's your most remarkable experience with cold? Tell us the temperature and note whether that's the actual temperature or wind chill.

I traveled extensively when I was working. When I was fist sent to Alaska, I shot myself in the foot. I told my boss that what I'd need there wasn't just ordinary work clothes, but might be considered safety equipment and that the company should pay for it. He agreed, and the company paid for my cold weather gear. After that, guess who got sent to wherever it was cold? North Dakota and Alaska became like a second home for the last several years that I worked. When I shoot myself in the foot, I use a cannon!

My work was generally outside. The coldest temperatures I worked in was -40, several times. That was actual temperature, not wind chill. It was tough, because a lot of what I did couldn't be done with heavy gloves on. I'd work with one hand while the other was in a pocket, then change hands.

I'm attaching a video clip. I'd always heard about throwing boiling water into the air and I wanted to try it. The temperature was -40, and there was almost no wind. The cup of water was about eight seconds out of the microwave where I had it fiercely boiling. When I threw the water into the air, there was INSTANT ICE FOG! This was on Alaska's North Slope North of Prudhoe Bay, about 100 yards from where the waters edge would be in the summer.

Attached file:
(Download)

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

And just to be funny, here's a video clip pf a high-speed police chase in North Dakota!

Attached file:
(Download)

Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania

That’s some cool video Barnacles. Couldn’t get the second one to download. Coldest I ever worked in was 25 below zero actual temperature. I was working outside at the time

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Was it -40 deg. C or F ? Just a test. LOL

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Good laugh. Probably could happen.

Jeremy Loc: America

I have had many cold adventures. One is when we went to Brianhead Utah skiing trip we had planned ahead. Hotel in Cedar City. Few young couples.

Got to resort the first morning. We were just about only people wanting to ski. It was 0 and hovering there and below. Windchill was -40 and fluctuating. Every breath would add ice to mustache. Every other run we went indoors to warm a bit. We had good gear but also with young ladies.

Buddies wife said hey I know what we should do. Let’s put black pepper in our boots to help keep our chilled feet warmer. It really worked. The deli / coffee lodge had plenty.

Turns out a civil war battle was won by using Black Pepper. The other side didn’t do it and had so much frostbite they couldn’t compete. When shooting blackpowder frostbite could easily hinder success.

I have done a lot of off roading in very cold conditions. Snow or on dry ground. The machines put off some heat but having good gear on. Gortex and several other layers properly worn in the right order and one can enjoy themselves.

Big huge fires surely feel good too.

Maid Marion Loc: Corvallis, OR

My earliest memory of real cold was in the early 40s. Don't know the temp, I was like 7or 8. We had 18"to 20"" of snow then freezing rain. When we get up in the morning all was a sheet of ice maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick.
Dad and I took the tractor to feed the sheep, pickup wasn't going anywhere.
The sheep in the barn were ok. The 150 out in the field were not. All lying down and couldn't get up, frozen in. We had to break each one out. Most of the time I was able to stand on top of the ice but poor Dad broke through every step. By the time we got done his pants were caked with blood from the ice cuts just above his boot tops.

Jeremy Loc: America

Yes. Winter here can be bad news. Thanks for sharing. Farm is a lot of work. Weather definitely can make it harder work.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

WOW!

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

Kincheloe AFB, MI which was about 25 miles SSE of Saulte Ste. Marie in the first week of February '65 we had a wind chill of -54 Fahrenheit. Ambient temperature was around -20 degrees. Operations did not stop! The AF had issued upon arrival, wonderful winter clothing over and above normal allowances. Parka, boots (2 types), socks, gloves, long johns, sweater, aviators' sunglasses for flight line folks and a scarf. 15 minutes was the maximum exposure time that day. Most outside vehicles had to be started every hour and ran for 5 minutes.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Makes NJ feel like Florida.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

No download

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Just audio

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

OUCH that's a big OUCH!!!!!

Rayjay425 Loc: Mill Creek, Washington

The worst I had was when it was so cold we had to wait until spring to get a fire going.