I remember the wind on Mt. Washington in Summer. I was freezing cold the moment I stepped off the train. I can’t begin to imagine “The strongest gust the Mt. Washington weather station has ever recorded.” She may well have been unable to make progress against the wind. I’m sure breathing alone could have led to frostbite/hypothermia.
I’ve often wondered, at what temperature does the lung tissue begin to freeze just from breathing? I mean, the sinus passages are a neat little warming spot, but surely they can’t stand up to everything nature can dish out? What do folks at the Antarctic stations do to allow themselves to breathe outside?
I ski’d in -30F weather once, in Colorado. It wasn’t nearly a cold at the base, and I spent a little time as possible on the summit, but my nasal passages hurt so bad I spent the whole next day in bed.