What We Drink in Yakutia at -71°C (-95°F)

For most of us it's easy to turn on a tap to get water. We don't realize that in some parts of the world getting water can mean risking their life. Because of the harsh climate in Yakutia there are no water treatment facilities and pipes freeze during the long winter, making ice from the lake the main source of drinking water. Today Ulyana and her husband Vasiliy are going to harvest ice drinking water. They have a big family and the boys Ruslan and Spartak are always there to help. Winter has arrived in Yakutia with temperatures routinely reaching below minus 50 degrees. Vasiliy's family have been harvesting in the same place for many generations. It's a small lake not far from their house which is known as having the cleanest water in the area. The ice on the river is first cleared of snow and then marked with a pole to create holes in the shapes of rectangles. Every year Vasiliy and his family start harvesting the ice from the middle of November when the ice is about 30 centimeters thick. Locals believe that the ice melted water has many health benefits especially for the brain and it speeds up your metabolism. You might think it will be simple and easy but the work requires a lot of endurance and skills. Vasiliy has taught his boys how to harvest the ice from an early age because ice harvesting is an important life skill in Yakutia for future men. On average the family needs about 20 cubic meters of ice for the winter. It's a long process and requires hard physical work. It's important to keep moving and be fully engaged in the work otherwise you can easily freeze. After an hour working outside Vasiliy and his family are feeling very cold and tired. Today is very windy and they can feel the cold wind piercing deep into their bones. 11 years old Ruslan gloves are completely frozen. It's very dangerous at such low temperatures and they can get frostbite. The freezing cold temperatures in Yakutia demands respect. In order to survive it's important to follow rules to dress well, wearing many thick layers, not to spend much time outside and eat frequently. It's better not to play games with nature in Yakutia. It can be a matter of life or death. Ruslan and his family decided to head back home with what they have. They have got enough water for the upcoming week. They will back to the lake and continue harvesting the ice next Sunday to stock up for the next week. After returning to the home they put the ice in the garden. The winter in Yakutia is constantly cold so the ice won't melt. The boys take some ice to put in the barrels to melt for drinking and Ulyana is lovingly preparing hot tea for the family. Finally now the family gathered together to enjoy their long-awaited cup of tea.