Photographer Travels To The Coldest Village On Earth Where The Temperature Can Reach -71.2C (-96F)

If you think that winter has already come to your city, pictures from Oymyakon, Russia, the coldest village on Earth, might change your mind. With the lowest temperature of −71.2 °C (−96 °F), recorded in 1924, and the average for January being -50°C (-60°F), this village is the coldest permanently inhabited place on this planet. New Zealand-based photographer Amos Chapple decided to go on a two-day journey from Yakutsk, the coldest major city on Earth, to capture what everyday life is like in Oymyakon.

“I was wearing thin trousers when I first stepped outside into – 47 °C (-52°F). I remember feeling like the cold was physically gripping my legs, the other surprise was that occasionally my saliva would freeze into needles that would prick my lips”, the photographer told to weather.com.

The photographer recalls that the hardest thing was not the cold itself, but that his camera’s focus and zoom rings would occasionally freeze in place.

More info: amoschapplephoto.com (h/t: petapixel)

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The Central Market In Yakutsk is full of fish and meat as the crops do not grow there

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The ‘Road Of Bones’ is the only route to Oymyakon

Even the village sign reads ‘Omyakon, The Pole Of Cold’

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A woman walks by a frozen house located in the village center

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A thick layer of fur keeps these dogs warm

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Most toilets are built outside, because the frozen ground makes it impossible to build indoor plumbing

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Local farmer keeps his cows warm at night by tucking them away in this barn

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The only working shop in Oymyakon provides the villagers with everything they need

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Cars can only be placed in heated garages. The ones left outside must keep running, otherwise they won’t restart

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coldest-village-oymyakon-russia-amos-chaple-12

A coal heating plant keeps the villagers warm

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What do you think ?

POST

Emina Becirevic 7 years ago

Oh boy, outside toilets... At this temperature...

33points

LizzyM 7 years ago

Imagine having diarrhea!

27points

Load More Replies...

LizzyM 7 years ago

"Where's mommy" "She went to the toilet 50 minutes ago, I think she's frozen to the loo, again"

13points

Ксения Жилова 7 years ago

People don't go to outside toilets when it's -50, they use a bucket inside their house and then empty it into the toilet.

3points

Mary Ely 7 years ago

That's what I thought, too.

2points

A. Najime 6 years ago

Pisseuse ^^

0points

Intensive Panda 7 years ago

at this temperature everything will insta freeze 😞

0points

LizzyM 7 years ago

Why do people voluntarily choose to live there? Doesnt seem like a large community either, why not move somewhere slightly warmer and a bit more populated? (But hey, if they're happy living there, kudo's to then!)

16points

Bistra Stoimenova 7 years ago

Most people that live there are A - native inhabitants, descendants of the local tribes, or B descendants of people that were sentenced convicts during the Tsarist or Communist Russia. You are right, few people would consider moving to live there but once born there, you have few options to move away. The nearest big city is also very cold, as far as I know :)

28points

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$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 7 years ago

I doubt that anyone goes to live there but are born there. It is the only thing they know so it shows we can adapt to anything, which is also why we have different cultures.

3points

Анастасия Шедловская 7 years ago

People in Russia livivng on the north get higher salaries and other privileges because of harsh weather.

2points

Augustė Stulgaitė 7 years ago

people are going to work here because of the salary. after 7 years they can afford to buy a flat in big city

1point

Mandy Harker 7 years ago

Why would you live in a small country town which is so hot you've got to live in underground houses? Why live in Iceland, one of the most volcanicly active places on Earth? Why live in Japan with daily earth quakes? Why live in any iscolated tiny town/village? I'm gussing I don't need to go on.

0points

Анастасия Шедловская 7 years ago

People in Russia living on the north get higher salaries and other privileges because of harsh weather.

0points

Aunt Messy 7 years ago

You'd have to be off your nut to live there. I grew up in Northern Alberta, and the coldest weather I've ever been out in was...below -50C. It was hard to tell because the thermometer bottomed out at -50. That kind of cold is physically painful, no matter how well you're dressed. Exposed flesh freezes in seconds. Death from exposure can happen in minutes. No thank you.

11points

Julia L 7 years ago

It's not a deadly place at all. I was born little bit west and love frost! At temperature -45C I and many children played on a street with snow. My chilhood was excellent, and frost give you reason running quicker, i.e. to like sport!

9points

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Anna Ri 7 years ago

Agreed mike 300 Alaska highway B.C. I grew up in, and yes the coldest days our doors were freezing s**t from inside and would jam, starting vehicles was intense enough. We had a very long driveway that would take 10 minutes to walk to the bus, doesn't sound very long, but during that weather during a -50 plus wind chill we missed I think 2 weeks of school because it just wasn't worth the risk. I can't wrap my brain around these kids comfortably adjusted and playing in this weather lol

2points

Lynne Darroch 6 years ago

When the Northern Albertan questions your weather-related sanity, time to move! Other replies to your comments don't seem to acknowledge your expertise on the matter. As a Montrealer I do.

1point

Mandy Harker 7 years ago

Heat makes me very sick. Today it was only 26C and I've already had to take an extra pain killer to settle my migraine, I almost fained from dizziness related to the heat and I could bearly eat cold foods without getting hotter. If I can ever afford to move to Norway I plan to because the cold doesn't affect me. While I highly doubt an "outsider" would move to this town, I'm sure most people who live there would be use to living in the cold. I'm not sure that someone from this town would be able to tolerate any location that gets too warm.

-1point

Olga Pen 7 years ago

To all those wondering - people who live there are either the descendants of local tribes, or people who work for the huge gold/diamond digging company. Basically, they make lots of money for several years and then get out to go on living in the warmer places.

5points

David Davenport 7 years ago

That was really nice to see, wouldn't want to live there. Thanks for the images.

4points

Cassie 7 years ago

"A thick layer of fur keeps these dogs warm" - He doesn't look warm. 0.0

3points

Notchimine Mette 7 years ago

The dog looks super cold! Poor baby...

3points

Krzysztof Grabczak 7 years ago

A Muscovite calls his friend in Yakutsk: - Hallo Kolya, they say on the tv that it's terribly cold over there, minus 50 centigrades! - Naaah, it's minus twenty at the worst! - But I see a reporter on the main square of Yakutsk in front of a thermometer showing minus 50 centigrades! - Aaah, OUTSIDE, yes, it's possible.

3points

Mindaugas Zukauskas 7 years ago

If you were Lithuanian, Latvian or Estonian in the 40s you would be taken to a train an transported like an animal to those places just for being teacher, doctor, businessman etc. And you would be happy if you arrived alive...

2points

Cassie 7 years ago

If they only have meat because crops won't grow there, what do they feed the cattle?

1point

Lucille Rushing 7 years ago

Thats the first thing that came to mind. I understand its thd coldest so i wonder about importing goods. Their diets must be horrible if they only eat meat and fish (assuming)

0points

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Tobias Eliodoro 7 years ago

I would like to see a some summer pics, just to compare

1point

Ewelina Pyżyńska 7 years ago

Poor dog :( it is chained outside and has no where to escape of course it is freezing there no matter how thick its fur is

1point

Sill Marien 7 years ago

a dog on a chain, in this temperature... I wish his owner tried the same, maybe he'd learn some compassion before freezing to death

1point

aneemany 7 years ago

the winter looks alive in this pictures

1point

Petar 7 years ago

These people won't survive on climate with positive temps. American calls his friend in Russia: - Serozha!!! HELP! Here is -20C, we are freezing, can't go to work! What do you do when it gets -20 in Russia and you wait for the bus? - Nothing special, drink few beers, the kids eat ice-cream... The Russians are though people. :)

1point

Katelyn Kruse 7 years ago

I thought I had it bad in Minnesota!

1point

Marcia 7 years ago

Bbbbbuurrrrrrr

1point

Debra Baldwin 7 years ago

What kind of dogs are they? I want one

1point

Maureen Zappellini 7 years ago

Well they ain't hot dogs!

16points

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Shannon McKee 6 years ago

This must be what vegan Hell looks like if crops can't grow.

0points

Fatihatul Muali 6 years ago

amazing story , amazing people, thank you for sharing

0points

Tina Fusco 6 years ago

beautiful but i couldn't handle outside toilet. talk about freezing your a*s off.

0points

Moezarella 6 years ago

this photos make me think of the frozen town in Silent Hill:Shattered Memories

0points

Kimberly Puchniarz 7 years ago

Why in heavens name would you even consider living here!!?

0points

Zap Ryan 7 years ago

Keep calm and carry on in -71ºC

0points

forest nymph 7 years ago

well...why is that dog chained outside? :/

0points

Wayne Scott 7 years ago

It is a paradise compared to conditions on Mars.

0points

Zac Peetsma 7 years ago

The ground freezes in Canada too and we have indoor plumbing.

0points

David J 7 years ago

Reminds me of my hometown Fargo North Dakota.

0points

Teresa 7 years ago

HOLY WOW

0points

Zombie Gurl 7 years ago

Game of Thrones are being overthrown by this winter

0points

Alan Aurmont 7 years ago

These photos are from many years ago. But still, always interesting to look at though.

0points

dawa dawapana 7 years ago

Why posting something that has been online for the last few years??? I've read the same article twice in dailymail.co.uk in the last 4 years..... lame "journalism"

0points

Krzysztof Grabczak 7 years ago

0points

Laily F. Noor 7 years ago

I'm from tropical country. I fell unwell when I visited another country on winter days. Maybe I could die if I moved to this village

0points

Varsha Chrislin 7 years ago

Beautiful place though...great courage to live in such a harsh climate!

0points

Sara Lowe 7 years ago

I'm pretty sure it won't be -71 every single day of the year, probably more like -30/40 for most of the winter and -71 is the extreme odd day? Anyone know if I'm right?

0points

Mary Ely 7 years ago

Wow and I was complaining my fingers were almost frozen to my camera when I was shooting in -2 degree weather. I will never complain about shooting in the cold again. These are beautiful photos. Thank you for taking them and sharing with everyone enabling us to get a glimpse into this village those who live there.

0points

Embee 7 years ago

I completely relate to the car one. My car does the same thing every damn winter here. I hate winter so I'd lose my damn mind having to live there.

0points

Pi... 7 years ago

Wow! Just...wow! Staying in such a sub-zero temp place, for me, would be a miraculous achievement. Post which, I can legitimately die happy!

0points

Maureen Zappellini 7 years ago

Yikes no thanks I moved to Arizona from Boston years ago- even though I'm from a New England family I still hate being cold!

0points

Jo Murphy 7 years ago

Why do people live there? It must be so incredibly easy to die.

0points

Alexander Kovalyov 7 years ago

Eliminates a lot of BS and BS people... you don't play it straight - you are dead... simple russian logic...

0points

Load More Replies...

Christie Curtis 7 years ago

No WAY would I live there!

-2points

Felicia Luca 7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Juris Franchenko 7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

POST

Emina Becirevic 7 years ago

Oh boy, outside toilets... At this temperature...

33points

LizzyM 7 years ago

Imagine having diarrhea!

27points

Load More Replies...

LizzyM 7 years ago

"Where's mommy" "She went to the toilet 50 minutes ago, I think she's frozen to the loo, again"

13points

Ксения Жилова 7 years ago

People don't go to outside toilets when it's -50, they use a bucket inside their house and then empty it into the toilet.

3points

Mary Ely 7 years ago

That's what I thought, too.

2points

A. Najime 6 years ago

Pisseuse ^^

0points

Intensive Panda 7 years ago

at this temperature everything will insta freeze 😞

0points

LizzyM 7 years ago

16points

Bistra Stoimenova 7 years ago

28points

Load More Replies...

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 7 years ago

I doubt that anyone goes to live there but are born there. It is the only thing they know so it shows we can adapt to anything, which is also why we have different cultures.

3points

Анастасия Шедловская 7 years ago

People in Russia livivng on the north get higher salaries and other privileges because of harsh weather.

2points

Augustė Stulgaitė 7 years ago

people are going to work here because of the salary. after 7 years they can afford to buy a flat in big city

1point

Mandy Harker 7 years ago

0points

Анастасия Шедловская 7 years ago

People in Russia living on the north get higher salaries and other privileges because of harsh weather.

0points

Aunt Messy 7 years ago

11points

Julia L 7 years ago

9points

Load More Replies...

Anna Ri 7 years ago

2points

Lynne Darroch 6 years ago

When the Northern Albertan questions your weather-related sanity, time to move! Other replies to your comments don't seem to acknowledge your expertise on the matter. As a Montrealer I do.

1point

Mandy Harker 7 years ago

-1point

Olga Pen 7 years ago

5points

David Davenport 7 years ago

That was really nice to see, wouldn't want to live there. Thanks for the images.

4points

Cassie 7 years ago

"A thick layer of fur keeps these dogs warm" - He doesn't look warm. 0.0

3points

Notchimine Mette 7 years ago

The dog looks super cold! Poor baby...

3points

Krzysztof Grabczak 7 years ago

3points

Mindaugas Zukauskas 7 years ago

2points

Cassie 7 years ago

If they only have meat because crops won't grow there, what do they feed the cattle?

1point

Lucille Rushing 7 years ago

Thats the first thing that came to mind. I understand its thd coldest so i wonder about importing goods. Their diets must be horrible if they only eat meat and fish (assuming)

0points

Load More Replies...

Tobias Eliodoro 7 years ago

I would like to see a some summer pics, just to compare

1point

Ewelina Pyżyńska 7 years ago

Poor dog :( it is chained outside and has no where to escape of course it is freezing there no matter how thick its fur is

1point

Sill Marien 7 years ago

a dog on a chain, in this temperature... I wish his owner tried the same, maybe he'd learn some compassion before freezing to death

1point

aneemany 7 years ago

the winter looks alive in this pictures

1point

Petar 7 years ago

1point

Katelyn Kruse 7 years ago

I thought I had it bad in Minnesota!

1point

Marcia 7 years ago

Bbbbbuurrrrrrr

1point

Debra Baldwin 7 years ago

What kind of dogs are they? I want one

1point

Maureen Zappellini 7 years ago

Well they ain't hot dogs!

16points

Load More Replies...

Shannon McKee 6 years ago

This must be what vegan Hell looks like if crops can't grow.

0points

Fatihatul Muali 6 years ago

amazing story , amazing people, thank you for sharing

0points

Tina Fusco 6 years ago

beautiful but i couldn't handle outside toilet. talk about freezing your a*s off.

0points

Moezarella 6 years ago

this photos make me think of the frozen town in Silent Hill:Shattered Memories

0points

Kimberly Puchniarz 7 years ago

Why in heavens name would you even consider living here!!?

0points

Zap Ryan 7 years ago

Keep calm and carry on in -71ºC

0points

forest nymph 7 years ago

well...why is that dog chained outside? :/

0points

Wayne Scott 7 years ago

It is a paradise compared to conditions on Mars.

0points

Zac Peetsma 7 years ago

The ground freezes in Canada too and we have indoor plumbing.

0points

David J 7 years ago

Reminds me of my hometown Fargo North Dakota.

0points

Teresa 7 years ago

HOLY WOW

0points

Zombie Gurl 7 years ago

Game of Thrones are being overthrown by this winter

0points

Alan Aurmont 7 years ago

These photos are from many years ago. But still, always interesting to look at though.

0points

dawa dawapana 7 years ago

Why posting something that has been online for the last few years??? I've read the same article twice in dailymail.co.uk in the last 4 years..... lame "journalism"

0points

Krzysztof Grabczak 7 years ago

0points

Laily F. Noor 7 years ago

I'm from tropical country. I fell unwell when I visited another country on winter days. Maybe I could die if I moved to this village

0points

Varsha Chrislin 7 years ago

Beautiful place though...great courage to live in such a harsh climate!

0points

Sara Lowe 7 years ago

I'm pretty sure it won't be -71 every single day of the year, probably more like -30/40 for most of the winter and -71 is the extreme odd day? Anyone know if I'm right?

0points

Mary Ely 7 years ago

0points

Embee 7 years ago

I completely relate to the car one. My car does the same thing every damn winter here. I hate winter so I'd lose my damn mind having to live there.

0points

Pi... 7 years ago

Wow! Just...wow! Staying in such a sub-zero temp place, for me, would be a miraculous achievement. Post which, I can legitimately die happy!

0points

Maureen Zappellini 7 years ago

Yikes no thanks I moved to Arizona from Boston years ago- even though I'm from a New England family I still hate being cold!

0points

Jo Murphy 7 years ago

Why do people live there? It must be so incredibly easy to die.

0points

Alexander Kovalyov 7 years ago

Eliminates a lot of BS and BS people... you don't play it straight - you are dead... simple russian logic...

0points

Load More Replies...

Christie Curtis 7 years ago

No WAY would I live there!

-2points

Felicia Luca 7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Juris Franchenko 7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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Photographer Travels To The Coldest Village On Earth Where The Temperature Can Reach -71.2C (-96F)

The Central Market In Yakutsk is full of fish and meat as the crops do not grow there

The ‘Road Of Bones’ is the only route to Oymyakon

Even the village sign reads ‘Omyakon, The Pole Of Cold’

A woman walks by a frozen house located in the village center

A thick layer of fur keeps these dogs warm

Most toilets are built outside, because the frozen ground makes it impossible to build indoor plumbing

Local farmer keeps his cows warm at night by tucking them away in this barn

The only working shop in Oymyakon provides the villagers with everything they need

Cars can only be placed in heated garages. The ones left outside must keep running, otherwise they won’t restart

A coal heating plant keeps the villagers warm

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Photographer Travels To The Coldest Village On Earth Where The Temperature Can Reach -71.2C (-96F)

The Central Market In Yakutsk is full of fish and meat as the crops do not grow there

The ‘Road Of Bones’ is the only route to Oymyakon

Share icon

Even the village sign reads ‘Omyakon, The Pole Of Cold’

A woman walks by a frozen house located in the village center

A thick layer of fur keeps these dogs warm

Most toilets are built outside, because the frozen ground makes it impossible to build indoor plumbing

Local farmer keeps his cows warm at night by tucking them away in this barn

The only working shop in Oymyakon provides the villagers with everything they need

Cars can only be placed in heated garages. The ones left outside must keep running, otherwise they won’t restart

A coal heating plant keeps the villagers warm

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Lina D.

Lina D.