Oymyakon Road is the World’s Coldest Winter Adventure Road Trip
Located in the Sakha Republic of Russia, Oymyakon is the coldest village on Earth, with a temperature recorded of -71.2°C. The road to the town, the Oymyakon Road, is said to be the World’s Coldest Winter Adventure Road Trip. During the winter months, travel can be especially challenging due to snow and ice.
Why is Oymyakon famous?
Oymyakon is a rural locality situated along the Indigirka River known for being one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. It has an extreme subarctic climate, with long, harsh winters and short, mild summers. Winter temperatures can drop as low as -50°C to -60°C (-58°F to -76°F). The lowest recorded temperature in Oymyakon is -71.2°C (-96.2°F), making it one of the coldest places in the world where people live year-round. Surrounded by mountains, which contributes to its extreme cold temperatures, the population of Oymyakon is small, with around 500 to 800 residents. Due to its remote location and harsh climate, Oymyakon has limited infrastructure.
How long is the road to Oymyakon?
Located in the northeastern part of Russia, the road to the town is 38.4 km (23,86 miles) long. It's called 98H-002 and starts in Tomtor on the infamous Kolyma Highway.
Is the road to Oymyakon unpaved?
Located in the Yana-Oymyakon Highlands, the road is totally unpaved, with big potholes. The road is covered in snow 9 months of the year. With an extreme subarctic climate, Oymyakon has been featured in a number of television series. Blizzards and inclement conditions are very common. The road is a bit steep, ending in Oymyakon at 750 meters above sea level. Never drive this road alone. Mobile phone service is not available, and even if it was phones wouldn’t be able to function in those temperatures.
How challenging is driving around Oymyakon?
Life in Oymyakon is adapted to the severe cold. Residents use heated garages to keep their cars running, as vehicles left outside can freeze and become inoperable. The ones left outside must keep running, otherwise they won’t restart. Cars are hard to start with frozen axle grease and fuel tanks, unused pipes can freeze within 5 hours. Batteries lose life at an alarming speed. Despite its harsh conditions, Oymyakon attracts adventurous tourists interested in experiencing life in one of the coldest places on Earth.
Pic: http://www.thegoldenscope.com/2015/01/oymyakon-the-worlds-coldest-village/#jp-carousel-20752