How Arctic Nomads Bathe and Stay Clean at −40°C



This film is not about survival. It is about ordinary life lived in extraordinary conditions.

Jasin wrote on Sep 11^th, 2026 at 12:05pm:


That close to the sun the sunburn is a real worry.

Jasin wrote on Aug 31^st, 2026 at 9:05am:


I suppose after a decent breakfast meal, I have to use the facilities for a number 2. And then it is a morning shower to make sure that my underwear I change into does not get stained for the day.

tallowood wrote on Sep 11^th, 2026 at 11:58am:


It gets to 5°C some nights during the winter here. I go out and work in the cold weather. Once I get home, I cool off in no time flat. The hour before bed, I would get into the hot shower and let my muscles relax. Getting out of the shower, it would be a choice between going to bed and sleeping like a baby. Or I would sit in front of the television until a point where I fall asleep on the lounge.

At -40°C, I cannot believe anyone would want to have a shower/bath no matter how much they need it. You would take off your clothes, freeze your arse off, and then wait 5 minutes for the water to be hot enough to bathe. Then you get out, get dressed very quickly, and spend the rest of the day trying to keep warm. I speak as a Central Queenslander who does not know what freezing temperatures are like to have a shower in a shut up home. Heaters and blankets would be a must.