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DEEP in the Siberian desert sits the world’s coldest village where minus 40C is considered a warm afternoon and a staggering minus 68C is deemed pretty bearable.
Yakutia might be one of the chilliest places on earth but thousands of people still choose to live there wrapped up in fluffy clothes and thick boots.
Sitting proudly in Russia the place is truly a thing of beauty even if for many of us just a couple of minutes there would make it feel like a nightmare.
A regular day for a Yakutia native consists of gathering wood first thing in the morning and whacking up a roaring fire inside the house using the stove.
Houses are often built up on concrete piles and are built to withstand the weather and hold in as much heat as possible.
With no radiators or heaters in sight the house is warmed up using a huge amount of wood over the nine ice cold months when the temperature sits a canyon below freezing.
Outside of heating the houses, finding clean drinking water is the toughest of jobs.
Any attempt at a water treatment facility or a plumbing system has always been literally froze in its tracks as the metal pipework ended up frozen solid 24 hours a day.
The water comes from ice, literal blocks of ice that get shaved down and melted so water can be used sparingly.
Food in Yakutia is just as scarce as water as growing the goods isn’t always a viable option.
Much of the nutritious food like strawberries or milk based products needs to be harvested during the warmer summer months and kept safe until the bitter winter mornings when strawberries and cream are regularly served up.
Ice cream is of course a favorite in the region as it never melts and always stays true to its name.
Fish is the main meat source as fishing is a huge market alongside knife making so most night it’s fish on the menu.
Fathers will go traditional ice fishing and burrow deep beneath the icy surface until they get lucky.
Soup is often served up for when days get particularly chilly.
The beautiful land is pretty to look at but it does pose serious threats when the temperature drops.
Any days that fall below -55C is considered too dangerous for the kids to go to school – a place most of them have to walk to.
And everyday tasks like brushing your teeth or splashing your face in the morning is done with ice cold water – almost unbearable to touch for most of us.
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With no taps the water goes into a funnel sitting over a sink that regulates how much water comes out at a time.
This also spells trouble for when it comes to needing the toilet.
Each small area will have its own shack outside in the snow for when the time comes.
The correct clothes are essential when you venture out onto the snowy blanket right on the locals doorsteps.
Several layers and insulated trousers are a must as residents often find chilly knees are the worst area to be affected by the cold.
Fully covering your face is common with thick scarves, ear muffs and snoods commonplace in the village.
As you step outside any hair on show instantly turns to ice.
Eyebrows and lashes grow little icicles on the ends and a harsh stinging sensation can quickly take over the face, fingers and toes.
The city sits on a continuous layer of permafrost and the frozen ground consists of soil, gravel and sand bound together by ice under the Earth’s surface.
It is known for its history of mining activities in the region with the major exports being diamonds and coal.
Yakutia might be known mainly for its obscene weather conditions but its also full of culture and facsinating heritage.
The village is proud of its four major theaters, fine art and history museums literally dedicated to the frosty weather.
An annual Ysyakh summer festival takes place in last weekend in June as their winter comes to a close.
Designed to celebrate the rebirth of nature and the start of a new year in Yakutia the festival is brimming with special rituals and ceremonies, folk dancing, horse racing, music, food, sports and other fun competitions.
The place also has an increasingly vibrant film scene that’s been captivating international audiences over recent years for its unique style portrayal of the region and its people.
The film industry has coined the nickname “Sakhawood” and is seen as an important part of the future of Yakutia.
Another Russian village – Oymyakon – is seen as the main competition for the worlds coldest village and it houses just 500 brave people.
Bone-cracking temperatures of minus 62C have shattered thermometers but people still happily cycle to work and go to fish markets.
