Exploring Yakutsk - The Coldest City on Earth

Support me on Patreon: / vvagabond
In this video I'll show you around Yakutsk - the coldest major city in the world situated in Sakha Republic, also known as Yakutia, Russia. The coldest temperature that has ever been recorded in Yakutsk was -64,4°C (in 1891) but frosts reaching -50°C and -55°C would certainly not be a special occasion for local residents. I was curious what was it like to live in such freezing environment and went to Yakutsk to see how people live and how things work in the coldest city in the world. I tried to show you that life could be different for different layers of society so I didn't mind visiting local "ghetto" where people had to survive without a stable heating system and go to the outdoor toilets.
Timecodes:
00:00 - Introduction
01:14 - Warm blankets for cars (Natasha)
03:10 - Exploring the old town and the city center
04:54 - Filming issues during freezing frost
05:38 - Yakut (Sakha) language
06:05 - Permafrost protection. Pipelines above the ground.
06:43 - Avoiding sanctions in Yakutsk. Visiting local KFC.
07:40 - Modern architecture in Yakutsk
08:43 - Open air market in Yakutsk
09:15 - Grocery prices in Yakutsk. How expensive is the coldest city in the world?
12:34 - Gasoline prices in Yakutsk
12:50 - Inside permafrost
14:28 - Horrible living conditions in collapsing wooden barracks (Yakutsk ghetto). Interviewing a local who has no heated bathroom.
18:29 - Mammoth museum of North-Eastern Federal University
19:56 - What do people eat in the coldest city in the world? Having a dinner in Yakutsk. Yakut national cuisines.
22:24 - How does Yakut (Sakha) language sound? Visiting a house of international friendship.
23:29 - Outro
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[@OriginalBongoliath]

It is great to see what Russia is like from the perspective of an actual Russian who speaks the language fluently and native to the culture vs. foreign vloggers who go around Russia. A completely different vibe yet holistic one.

[@nomadhomad3685]

Western bloggers are being kicked out or prosecuted. It's easier for putin to sponsor domestic bloggers and them taking advantage of the "inside Russia" blogs by English speakers. Its all planned out, one way or another.

[@russinarmy5345]

i dont think hes russian bro

[@Bav_ar]

He's the Russian of state departmenthe talk shut about Russia for westoid to support him in Patreon many such Russians

[@zao.224]

@@russinarmy5345 Then what do you think he is?

[@floraab1339]

​@@russinarmy5345His name is Ivan.

[@cherryjee]

Привет из Якутска! Даже не знала, что Якутия привлекает много блогеров и интересна людям. Рада, что больше людей узнают про нашу родину :)

[@jkdbuck7670]

6:51 Kentucky Frozen Chicken ?

[@Visalcon]

Kentucky Fuckputin Chicken

[@timgooding2448]

The lowest temperature recorded in Yakutsk was −64.4 °C (−83.9 °F) on 5 February 1891 and the highest temperatures +38.4 °C (101.1 °F) on 17 July 2011. Wild temperature differences!

[@randylahey1822]

Almost the same in Northern Sweden, summers can almost feel tropical and sometimes during winter the local authorities advice you to stay inside unless you really have to go somewhere. Water pipes bursts and all kinds of shit happen but the people just roll with the punches

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

Normally only about 20-30 deg total difference between winter and summer here in the UK but it seems a lot to me so I really don't comprehend how they live with those extremes.

[@paulb4661]

​@@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz Humidity makes all the difference, the air is still and dry as a bone. 30 below over there doesn't feel as cold as typical Scottish Winter.

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

​@@paulb4661 So we are actually living in one of the most hellish places on earth here in the UK? I knew it! Perhaps but at least a car will start and your eyebrows don't frost up. I guess that's also why I have two large and 4 small dehumidifiers around the house. It certainly is damp here.

[@paulb4661]

@@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz I'm afraid so 🤣🤣🤣 I used to take the dog for a 10minute walk at 20 below wearing a t-shirt, down here, I'm shivering in thermal clothing! Below 10 is freezing cold, above 20 is damn hot!

[@alvarezgamers]

Place looks so cool. No pun intended 😂

[@SvengelskaBlondie]

seems like a nice place to "chill out" in 🙃

[@jovancvetojevic3980]

I love the fact that now you can afford some nice meals and try local cousin. I always felt bad watching you eat instant noodles every video. Glad that channel and income is growing. Greetings from Serbia

[@edgedg]

True about food, but staying in abandoned places was good content.

[@vincentdrake6065]

Brate!

[@hill121s]

Watching from Australia, i cannot imagine living in such a cold climate.

[@Baron6819]

Я живу в таком холоде и ничего плохого нету

[@WhosAfraidofErikNordingII]

I live in a city in Northern Canada which has brutally cold winters - the lowest recorded temperature is -53.3 oC and I have myself experienced -45oC - and can tell those who have never experienced it that you can become accustomed to such temperatures, though precautions must be taken when it hits the -40 range. We dont use 'Natasha's' here in Northern Canada, rather people generally leave their cars in heated garages or, if they are forced to leave their vehicle outside, have their engines plugged into an electrical outlet via a long cord leading to your house to keep their engines warm ... though it does not always work.

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

One guy he talked to didn't even have heating indoors or leaking radiators or something and seemed pretty lightly dressed outdoors???? He must be full of the antifreeze vodka or something.

[@HiwasseeRiver]

Sometime the power outlets at grocery stores in Alaska were cycled on 10 mins / off 20 min. Word got around - no power at the outlet was a violation of social norms.

[@thegreatujo]

Does it also get very hot in summer ?

[@Estirvana]

You know what's funny, the amount he paid for that KFC meal isn't too far from what we would have paid too. 😮‍💨

[@ABsurDdeMaraZm]

КОгда то к нам из Канады в Якутске в конце 90х приехали работать на стройку, когда им говорили, очень тепло одевайтесь, они смеялись, и говорили что у них тоже очень холодно. Когда настала зима они одевались как привыкли у себя дома, и больше не смеялись когда поняли якутский мороз. Правда не знаю от куда они, вряд ли с севера.

[@Peter-MH]

Those mammoths must be pretty hardcore to have survived in those conditions, as a warm blooded animal!

[@angeltzepesh1]

Well, polar bears are warm blooded animals and they live in such conditions too, the walrus is also a warm blooded animal that lives in similar conditions.

[@pewpew9193]

​​@@angeltzepesh1 Arctic Foxes, Reindeer & they have a breed of Arctic horses among others. It's no rainforest, but more biodiversity than you would expect on frozen tundra.

[@Finn-FrenchGaming]

Hello from Finland.

[@annarobinson72]

I like this video. I’m from El Salvador, CA In my DNA I have desend of Yakkut ❤That is unbelievable, but true❤

[@HiwasseeRiver]

I could tell that you were at -40 due to the squeaking sound when you walk. The coldest I've ever experienced was -66.7F(-55C) At that temperature the electronic thermometer died. I worked about 120 miles east of Fairbanks. The Yakutsk groceries were less expensive compared to Alaska. We did not blanket our vehicles, we used electric outlets to power engine block heaters. Driving from Fairbanks for hours would lead to frozen groceries even if the heat was on full in an F-250 truck. We were told several myths about how cars were warmed in Russia, thank you for these cold region videos. Final thought - I've seen an outhouse in Alaska on the spring day when all the yellow snow and ice melted. It was not a pleasant sight or smell.

[@anton_borovoy]

What myths did you heard about car warming in Russia?

[@Komodo1312]

Setting a fire under the old USSR trucks before turning the engine on is one I've heard​@@anton_borovoy

[@fulger2010]

I am not sure if anybody told you but this wooden barracks are being demolished , to the 2025 this districts of the barracs planned to be totally demolished and all people relocated to the normal, modern flats, for free.

[@ivantrainsLIVE]

Sounds promising and very good for people still living in barracks.

[@gryffuscze]

It's strange, that the older man did not know that yet though.

[@YardaFreeman]

@@gryffusczeyea maybe because there is difference between truth and propaganda

[@uchugeyen]

As a resident of Yakutsk, I can say that the government has been promising this for the past 30 years

[@Raznosac]

The westerners will find Russian propaganda even in the toothpaste advertisment​@@YardaFreeman

[@HansGruberX1]

11:47 The Woman in the Car waving at you 👋😊 so nice

[@williamweiss6128]

Over the years, I've found I prefer mittens over gloves. I watch several traveller channels. I prefer yours because you give a brief history as you go. Good luck, safe travels. Enjoying from Idaho.

[@havegregory]

thank you from sharing from the USA

[@MausTheGerman]

Another fantastic video 😀 Thank you so much from Germany 🇩🇪

[@LILDRUGHILL]

Love from Yakut man

[@LILDRUGHILL]

also Rammstein)

[@KahluaBomb]

I was having a really shitty day and then a new Vagabond video came up. Turned the day right around for me! As always, your work is awesome, I love getting the opportunity to explore far off reaches with you as a guide. I also really appreciate how you speak with locals and find out what the situation is like, it's much needed in this day and age. Keep being awesome man!

[@malfunctionjunction6212]

Another great video and geography lesson. Thank you for taking us along. Great narration, camera and editing. "High birth rate", those people know how to keep warm. Stay safe. Love and peace. Еще одно замечательное видео и урок географии. Спасибо, что взяли нас с собой. Отличное повествование, камера и монтаж. "Высокая рождаемость" - эти люди знают, как сохранить тепло. Оставайтесь в безопасности. Любви и мира.

[@user-st3nk9ui9j]

I am fascinated by Yakutia and have watched many, many KZbin videos from there but your unique perspective showed me lots of things I have not seen before! It was interesting but saddening to see the condition of the municipal housing. This video quality is very nice and crisp. Greetings from Ireland.

[@fulger2010]

а ведь он и правда ничего хорошего не показал, город на 80% современный, чистый, но он показывает только то, что убеждает западного жителя что Россия отсталая, бедная страна, да и кухню местную обосрал. Так что работа на заказ?

[@Hello-mv3xs]

@@fulger2010 It did show the city in a nice light too, Yakutsk looks pleasant for the most part.

[@chromidius5339]

I am curious as to how anyone can safely fish in the coldest city on earth. They go out onto a lake, cut holes in the ice, and then fish. But how do they catch fish? Aren't the fish themselves already frozen in the lake?

[@hoyhoy852]

@@fulger2010 он даже старый город не показал, хотя там находился? И никто всерьез махтал не считает хорошим рестораном, бейт для туристов с огроменными ценами. Единственный местный у него - русский который ненавидит якутов, каким-то образом не нашел ни одного якута, и заснял речь только на записи которую его камера не могла толком поймать, концерт тоже вырезал, хотя на фоне показывал. Странные приоритеты конечно.

[@thetravelinghat]

I am really impressed with the fact they have an LED wall! I can't imagine the cost it took to get it transported and built there vs Western Russia.

[@B-B-W-Engel]

Led walls are much more important than wcs, good sir.

[@keepmovn8039]

Thank you so much for sharing. Keep uploading. I like your unusual travel destination and style.

[@kamilaferens682]

Not gonna lie, i would love to experience that kind of weather at least one time in my life... I like winter and cold, but I wonder how I would like that extreme level of cold...

[@HankGrill]

Hard pass for me. That is deadly cold temps too dangerous for anyone not from there.

[@UranijaZeus]

-25 is harsh, you have a hard time keeping house warm, I can’t even imagine this...

[@Nieczynny]

You are a good man. I like watching you.

[@danyk7853]

Are you ever going to visit Kamchatka? I was born and lived there for 10 years, and I miss it every day. I know you would love being there, and there's sooo many stunning places to see. Thank you for your content, I'm very happy to see your English getting a lot better

[@vera.evropa]

The closest he's been to Kamchatka is Chukotka I think, unfortunately

[@danyk7853]

@@vera.evropa yeah, I remember watching that video. can't wait for him to explore Kamchatka, I hope this will be his longest video

[@vera.evropa]

@@danyk7853 Let's hope he visits it!

[@_DREBBEL_]

You look like an angel with the Icey eye lashes 😂

[@bronxeel1]

Alright! A new Vagabond video!

[@joshuapatrick682]

I live in Louisiana USA where the temperature has only got below -10 degrees Celsius maybe twice in my 40 years. I have only seen snow covering the ground 3 times in that span as well. Snow is a rare event that only happens here every few years and the longest I've ever seen in stay was 4 days and it was less than 10 centimeters deep. All that is to say that Yakutsk might as well be Mars to me.

[@skatetrash]

love your videos, shame we cant see the train rides anymore. great watching your channel grow as well!

[@pafeso1659]

Why cant we anymore? Is there something about TOS?

[@ge2623]

@@pafeso1659 Yes Vaga said recently You Tube said it doesn't want to promote dangerous activities. Or something to that effect.

[@SvengelskaBlondie]

@@ge2623 Yep, it's just KZbin being KZbin. They are doing their best to become the next cable tv.

[@ge2623]

@@SvengelskaBlondie So true.

[@matt2451]

Big fan of your videos! I live in the cold north of Canada so a lot of the aspects of Yakutsk living is very similar to how it is here. :)

[@alexzeuniverse463]

Якутск с Канадой в 1990-2000 годах очень тесно сотрудничал. Обменивались опытом жизни в таких суровых условиях. Канадские строители приезжали и строили так называемые «Канадские дома из дерева». Эти дома до сих пор стоят и хорошо выглядят. Так же наши строители с вашими специалистами из Канадцы строили наш национальный центр медицины (огромное здание), так же один из корпусов университета СВФУ. Эти здания тоже до сих пор функционируют и простоят еще 50 лет не менее. Так же между университетами Канады и Аляски активно происходил обмен преподавателями и студентами 👍🏼

[@alexzeuniverse463]

А в данный момент Якутск является самым большим городом на вечной мерзлоте. Как строитель могу сказать, благодаря усилиям нашего местного университета СВФУ мы стали одним из лучших строителей на вечной мерзлоте

[@EhrlicherEdukator]

Really nice work!!!!

[@Mountain_Valley_Sky]

Thanks for another great video!

[@BaldAndBank]

great video mate!

[@slicker83]

Thank You for another great video:)

[@kavics98]

woah serious episode mate! i got the shivers for real

[@ikarus004]

quality content as usual

[@k.r.marimuthu8576]

Super bro I like it ,your coverage very nice.

[@isadsales]

I enjoyed the showcasing of local food, thanks for another great video

[@FriedEgg101]

You make great documentaries. Love your channel.

[@TheMrTomkennedy]

Yet another wonderful video of your extreme travels. I'm proud to be a Patreon!!

[@demil3618]

A wonderful video once again and always very educating. Keep going! 👍👍

[@makelovenotwar2467]

Great video, I like your style of reporting!

[@joaov5267]

Great video!

[@Brutalismus_]

Your channel is top notch, keep it up man. Love itall.

[@robertobhro]

Amazing insights on a place so far away. Authentic and real. Just showing it as it is. Love it. Thank you!

[@nyckolaus]

So fascinating! Thank you, Ivan! And I like your white eyebrows!

[@m1k1a1]

15:25 The way packed snow squeaks and "rings" under the older man's shoes made me smile. That sound can't be heard unless it's really cold. Below -30C, as is the case here :)

[@MWV_Music]

Thank you, great video, I hope I can visit one day 😊

[@robertwebb5306]

I really enjoyed your video. Спасибо .. and greetings from Australia 🙋🏼‍♂️🦘

[@xela001]

Hey, super nice journey 🎉 well done in editing and very interesting to follow. Stay safe and warm and i like that u didnt risk to go to oymyakon just to do it but that u will go there well prepared 🙌

[@confusedsupernova5984]

Great video, thank you!

[@PotionSeller721]

I love this channel. Greetings from Germany.🤍💙❤ 🖤❤💛

[@SatelliteYL]

Thank you for the video Vaga. I was impressed by how well stocked the grocery store was, and how squalid the wooden barracks outdoor “toilets” were

[@nikola4362]

I love your videos, its so good that you include such details like prices, show around the niche places, where normal tourist would rarely go to, also you talk to the people. Its so good. Thank you for making these!

[@gabeschedarden3863]

very interesting video.well done

[@misterkefir]

always with some super interesting stuff, thank you for posting these! *brrrr...*

[@alfredpetrossian3036]

Thank you very much - Wonderful virtual trip - Amazing.

[@Chaldon-hl6yk]

Thank you very much - вот уроды ((

[@ReRiderChi]

I like how this creator introduces the people

[@frankmitchell1530]

Even in the most remote, and coldest, parts of Russia basic food items are one third the cost of similar items here in Sydney, Australia. If the temperature were a little warmer I would consider moving there.

[@FriedEgg101]

I heard you're all opal miners down there ;)

[@nali19751975]

Very good video

[@abbeystump]

Great video.Everyone should visit Yakutsk in winter. I just spent New Years in Oymyakon -57c and tried horse steak and blood sausage in that restaurant. Sunny days with dry cold is a great feeling...

[@landygangofficial6279]

ty for the interesting videos

[@leiladash]

First of all, I love seeing these videos of places around the world that I would probably never see in person! It helps me realize how big the world is as I’m cooped up working from home everyday. Second, this makes me think that maybe Chicago winters aren’t as bad as they could be. Love the channel. Thanks for making this content for us!❤

[@joe-vl3nd]

Great video 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@LILDRUGHILL]

Wagwan fam, love from Yakutsk, Bomboclaat

[@ep379]

I ❤these kind of videos. Just great 🎉, watching from Germany 🌻💫

[@user-mc1um1ix8i]

Ive never seen anyone filming yakut experience but i found u. Im yakut too, keep up the great work lad

[@raywasabi2900]

Amazing 🙏🏻

[@truyerroe]

great video :)

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

Excellent video! I really appreciate the way you just show these places as they are - the good and the bad. My whole perspective of Russia is forever changed and generally for the better.

[@Md.Mahinhassan]

It's good to have that experience

[@peterjolicoeur8753]

Wonderful video, thanks again. While a northeastern American, the coldest temperature I have experienced was a couple weeks ago while visiting northern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. It hit -39 degrees C on my last day of the visit. It's hard to imagine people living with that day after day.

[@SyberiaSpirit]

Hi there! Good video and sufficient material. Ps. Have a good day from Yakutsk ✌️

[@Slykkpkins]

A very excellent journey in Yakuts, coldest place on earth.

[@diademoflead]

Love your videos man. I thought we had long winters in Minnesota. I would *not* want to live in Yakutsk. Seems like an ok place to visit though.

[@Chaldon-hl6yk]

Теперь надо с Магадана до Анадыря автостопом

[@yaya5805]

Thank you bro

[@billybob8461]

you went to the coldest city on earth. decided it couldn't wait huh. thank you for another video

[@dalriadajohannsen]

The prices are very reasonable. A fraction of the cost, of items in the US. The weather is ideal for me actually. I would love to visit this region.

[@Kiewicz92]

Good video

[@FPVMike]

10 out of 10! but i dont like fish! Love your travel videos mate. Watching from Australia and its summer here!

[@milliehughes7040]

Wow thank you for that 👍🏻 I have watched many of your KZbin uploads and think it is time I did say Thank You !

[@parksto]

Thank you

[@ergenekon4l]

I pay my respects to my kinsmen, the Yakut people. Greetings from Turkey

[@makssakha8092]

Hello to our relatives from distant Turkey, Yakuts and Turks live very far from each other, but we are related peoples! we have common ancestors!

[@ergenekon4l]

@@makssakha8092 Yes.Our ancestors are the same All Turkic peoples are brothers.I wish you all the best

[@userNicholas13]

​@@ergenekon4l the peoples living in Asia have a lot in common, for example. During archaeological excavations on the territory of modern Yakutia, burials were discovered dating back to the 17th century, even before the arrival of the Russians, where not only jewelry made of precious metals by Yakut craftsmen was found, but also beads made of Venetian glass and Chinese silk. etc. And so Koreans have been living in Yakutia since the 18th century; for example, you can often meet a Yakut named Aisen Park, Alexey Moon etc. Many have not only Korean, but also Chinese and Japanese ancestors

[@detritic]

Fascinating seeing the way the camera image is affected by the cold

[@lmsharmonic7163]

Compared to any winter countries in the world, Yakutsk winter season really astounding.

[@gingerandbroke1402]

Bro I'd love to visit your country, hopefully one day in the future.

[@susanschmid2271]

Super.

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

I love your videos! I’ve always wanted to visit Yakutsk, it looks so beautiful and prosperous! You speak great English too! I wish I could speak Russian the way you speak English 😊

[@kurtloderlovespie]

You have really honed your English skills

[@TimeToStartOver]

Hey there, very interesting content again. I like the cold more than the heat, but -40°C is freezing your balls off, damn! 😅 Keep up the good work. Greetings from not so cold Southern Germany! ✌😊

[@LILDRUGHILL]

Love from Yakut man, bro. Ich habe einen grosen schwanz) Love german History!

[@HanMasho]

Fun fact: -40 is the only temperature that's the same in Celsius and Fahrenheit.

[@godhand2018]

Thank you so much for what you do! Your videos are always great, very informative and entertaining and really well made for something that you (I'm assuming) are doing all by yourself. I've been watching for quite a while and your english improved a lot aswell, just keep it up mate I wish you all the best.

[@orlinoflores7317]

Nice 👍🏽

[@TOYOTA.Overland]

Such a nice trip :-)

[@nikolayevelmo1811]

Tbh that KCF rice box is my fav in my country 🤣

[@Gabaja21]

That was brilliant! Thank you. The city seemed pretty vibrant considering the extreme temperatures. I hope all those ‘new build’ apartments have mitigated for climate change and the ongoing diminishing perma frost. It’s a shame the wooden structures couldn’t be stabilised and slightly modernised though. How old are they? Love that museum also, those ice tusks were amazing. Sorry, I’m very British and therefore a bit small minded about historical things and preservation. Great insight as always though 👏👏

[@LILDRUGHILL]

Love from Yakut bro. I like UK rappers and rock,they are the best.

[@rostkgb]

Очень интересно, спасибо

[@SM_senthilmeenatchi77]

I'm in India... Video is very great.. Keep it up❤🎉

[@o_s-24]

It's fascinating how such a cold place is actually booming!

[@JonathanGP21]

Bastante interesante, saludos desde México 🇲🇽