Colder than a brass ...

August 1, 2005 8:45 AM

It is the dead of winter at the bottom of the Earth.
Therefore, it's a great day for some lucky intrepid foolhardy souls to join The 300 Club! Those wishing to join in the future are advised to hurry, though.
posted by yhbc (7 comments total)

I think I had a minor stroke just reading about this.
posted by Rawhide at 8:59 AM on August 1, 2005

I could feel the flesh on my shoulders, now frozen solid, crack as I moved.

EEEK
posted by cmonkey at 9:08 AM on August 1, 2005

I really liked reading those personal narratives.

Just as I reached the top of the snow drift I looked around. What a perfect sight. The stars were out, the skies were clear and dark . . . . For a second I forgot the pain and just marvelled at the view, remembering just were I was. Then the cold reminded me that it was -100F and I was naked.

Sounds like the beginning of a great novel!
posted by aparrish at 9:30 AM on August 1, 2005

I like taking saunas very much, but I'd never make it into a record breaking game.

O, and I've been in saunas that were 115° Celsius (239 °F) in Germany and Scandinavia. Saunas in North-America are probably not that hot because of litigation. Think McDonalds hot coffee case.
posted by kika at 9:40 AM on August 1, 2005

Great post, yhbc!
posted by madamjujujive at 10:22 AM on August 1, 2005

I've done the old Swedish-sauna-out-door-to-hole-cut-in-ice dash in midwinter, but now I feel like a fraud. Great.
posted by LondonYank at 1:31 PM on August 1, 2005

Technically, it can be done from the new station, even after the dome is disassembled. There is a sauna in the new station on the elevated 1st floor, albeit up about 60 stairs which can be darn hard to climb at that elevation even with shoes on.

Incidentally, running to the pole naked isn't half as bad as jumping into the Weddel sea.
posted by culberjo at 3:26 PM on August 1, 2005