"18 at -16"

                Today was the coldest January 7 temperature ever recorded in New York City.  Today the high temperature was -16 degrees. Many of my readers live in cold weather locations so you folks understand at least in theory what 16 below zero feels like. Some of my readers do not so I thought I would try an experiment. I decided to walk home the 18 blocks from Hunter College to my apartment in this frigid -16 temp to see what that would be like. Unlike the Donner Party, I live around lots of people so I figured (hoped) that if I went down someone would take their gloves off and with frozen fingers dial 911. I kid you a bit , but still there is an element of truth in that statement.

                First of all you should see how people dress in this kind of weather. Full length down coats with boots and fur hats that I like to call Dr. Zhivago hats. Many men also have full length coats. People wear hats with fur hats over the top of the first hat or hats and then hoods over them. I saw boots up to the knees, boots with triple socks inside that. Most people have on 4 layers of clothing or more. It’s like a combination of Eskimo and or Russian winter wear. For my jaunt home, I had on a thermal top with a tee shirt over that, a windbreaker type of long sleeve over that and my wool coat. I had on my Adidas running pants over the top of nothing. I wore fur-lined boots, and had a thick scarf wrapped around my neck covering part of my face. Gloves with metal flaking inside designed to reflect body heat back on to my hands. A Popeye Doyle sock cap to complete the ensemble.  Off I went about 6 pm.

                The first 2-3 blocks I was fine. I still had left over warmth from the being inside the college. I could tell how cold it was but after three blocks, I was still not too bad. Things begin to change in block four. I became aware that my cheeks were beginning to sting and my legs (the least protected) were chilling fast. By blocks 5, 6 my ears begin to sting, my lungs began turning cold as the intake of really cold air quickly overtook my internal body heat. My legs were getting really uncomfortable. On the good side of things, my feet and head were still okay.

                By block 7 and 8 I was really feeling it, especially now that I was walking into a 12 MPH wind. I started to lose feeling in my knees and I could tell my cheeks were turning red. My nose was by now running profusely and my hands were chilled thoroughly. Blocks 9-11 things got very uncomfortable.  I had to stop at each light and wake for the walk sign. My knees were now fully numb, my eyes were starting to water and I hoped the water wouldn't freeze on my face. I kept moving as fast as I could.  I was worried about how much cold air my lungs were taking in. My cheeks were really stinging. I regrouped about 3 blocks from home because I believed I would make it OK, but my hands and fingers were totally numb and, my legs were moving but I couldn't  feel them. Thank God my eyes stopped watering.

                Finally I reached my apartment (18 blocks=1 mile in -16) and when I took my gloves off to put the key in the outer door, my fingers didn’t work very well. I dropped the keys and tried to curse, but my teeth were involuntarily chattering. On the third try I got the door opened.  Once inside my apartment, I realized the temperature in my place had slipped to 52 degrees but I didn't care because that felt warm to me. Later on I know it won’t. I have maximum heat on but I have drafts coming through my windows and the wall a/c and 36 hours of this weather has made my place very cold. I’ll eat some hot soup and watch TV in double pajamas, under my down comforter with a blanket and quilt on top of that.  I know what you are thinking, that Will, what a scientist, always willing to risk life and limb to conduct experiments. Well, either that or you are thinking:  that Will, what a dumb-ass! Ha Ha Ha Ha