How to survive the cold in North Dakota.
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 7 comments link this postIn response to a reader who wondered how we survive the cold in North Dakota (see comments section here), I've decided to compile a handy selection of tips.
- Make sure you have a house or apartment or some other similar shelter.
- Go inside that shelter.
- Turn up the heat.
- Behave normally.
Now, if you find yourself outside, these next tips will come in handy:
- Purchase a heavy coat. You will find these available in fine retail stores everywhere.
- Purchase gloves. You will find there are many options. Pick warm ones, any color.
- Purchase a hat. Leave your hair vanity behind.
- Purchase Chapstick. Cherry is overrated.
- Purchase warm socks and shoes/boots.
- Use these purchases.
I have previously blogged on snowstorm survival here.
The snowstorm/car survival tips seem to be more of a serious nature, but the general "how do you survive the cold up there" is vague at best. It's not always cold, and when it is -- well, that's just the weather for that day. You just keep going and then, spring arrives. I really don't understand the question, though I think it's more of a way of stating "man, I can't imagine living in that cold."
How do we survive the cold up here? I don't know. How do people survive the heat of the desert? How do people survive the thin air of the Himalayas? How do people survive excessive bratwurst in Germany?
Why, you become acclimated, that's how.
But I'm sure my handy lists will be useful.
Labels: lists, north dakota
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 1/18/2008 09:13:00 PM
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7 Comments:
As our current temperature here in northern Illinois bounces between
-3 and -1 degrees Fahrenheit, your survival guide provides another Lone Prairie valuable service to your loyal readers.
I would add that a roaring fire (make sure you have a fireplace in your shelter) and a hot cup of chocolate will make the surviving of the cold more palatable.
I think I shall go do so now ...
By 
Rey, at
19/1/08 05:56
Juls, at our safety meeting, we were told to wear layers. I guess so that they can be removed as the temps rise. I just read the other entry about that accident. I did not realize it had been on the news. How sad!
By Jacqui, at
19/1/08 08:15
Well, I thought it was a serious question, given where I live compared to where you live.
If a person heard that South Dakota can easily get temps in the -30s, with wind chills in -50s or worse, I think they'd be curious because that experience is significantly different, I would guess, that 10 or even -5 degrees. Questions of frostbite or even hypothermia might come up. Or what effect this has on cars. They would be naturally curious because their experience of winter would appear to be so different.
I did some googling and found some guidelines, as well as some interesting stories from people's experience.
The other question people would want to know is: Why? Why endure such extremes?
By 
, at
19/1/08 16:37
"Why endure such extremes?"
But here's the thing: yes, it is cold now. Really cold. But it's not always thus. It's more like a blip on the radar of the year, and the majority of the time, I find the weather lovely -- not too hot, not this painfully cold. So it doesn't really feel like "enduring."
I suppose there are things I take for granted in knowing about existing during this kind of cold that I don't think of as part of my list of things to tell people I know that winter will bring dry skin and bloody noses for me. I know I had better plug my car in, and that I'll likely leave it running when I'm just popping into a store or something. I know that if my shoes don't have a thick enough sole, my feet will get cold and my toes completely numb. I avoid wearing my glasses that have the metal rims, and try not to wear metal rings or jewelry because it gets cold and chills the skin. I absolutely dress in layers: tank top, long-sleeved T-shirt, pullover. I wear wool socks that are knee-highs. I try to avoid fabrics against my body that aren't cotton or wool, since some of the artificial fabrics feel clammy at times. However, if I'm going to be exerting myself outside, I avoid cotton and pick a fabric that wicks moisture away. You do not want to be wet -- it'll drop your body temperature really fast. I know in the winter I'm going to want to eat and drink hot foods and naturally crave foods with high levels of fat. I know that my car isn't really going to heat up even if the heat is going full blast, if the temp is below zero and the wind is whipping it lower. So, I'll stay bundled up in my car. I know I have to have "survival" gear in my car (blankets, extra warm clothes and boots, etc.) in case I get stranded. I know that, if that happens, I need to stay with the car and not go out in the wind.
Stuff like that.
But I've been brought up knowing that, so it's hard to know what to tell someone who hasn't -- who sees this as impossibly tough or something -- because I assume everyone just knows what is "common sense" to me.
By Julie R. Neidlinger, at
19/1/08 17:12
We have been getting really cold here in SoCal for the past week or so. It sometimes gets below freezing where I live. I have gone outside to find a light layer of ice on top of my car. It is so cold I have to wear a sweatshirt on top of my t-shirt and shorts. Well, maybe it's not that cold.
By TimB, at
19/1/08 17:33
Julie --
When friends from warmer climes have asked me how and why I put up with the extremes of winter, I reply that there is a wonderous beauty to be found in the quiet blanket of snow and cold. Beyond that, there is also the joy of the changing seasons.
I cannot express the joy I feel with the first signs of spring when everything experiences a rebirth. The long days of summer followed by the explosion of color in the fall. All of these things make it easier to face the cold of winter.
I suspect that you probably have similar feelings.
By Rey, at
19/1/08 18:31
MITTENS !!!
Keep the fingers together so they help keep each other warm.
Not Gloves, but Mittens !!
By ChuckPeterka, at
8/10/08 13:41
