It was a really cold photoshoot! They made it in the Orda cave of the Perm region of Russia when it was -36 C (-32.8) outside!
According to the legend the Orda river has a spirit who helps divers in difficult situations. This became the main idea of the photoshoot. They decided to invite a two-times world champion in free diving Natalia Avseenko to play the Mistress of the Orda in the waters of the cave.
The temperature of the water was +5 C (41 F) and it was as hard as hell.
Natalia is meditating before the plunge.
Icicles freeze at the entrance to the cave.
Under the costume of the Mistress of the Orda she has a 5 mm diving suit.
Natalia is sitting in the dry part of the cave.
Inside the cave the temperature was -24 C (-11.2 F). Could you smile as well?
The main thing now is to undress very fast.
And get some warmth.
This was the shot everything was done for.
This very part of the cave is called “the Mistress of the Orda”. Do you see a silhouette of a woman?
Better stay home at -36 C!
via leprosorium
Are you sure that this is à lady? Look at the jaw. I can imagine that “it” wanted to play Mistress.
The pictures are not conclusive, but Natalia Avseenko appears to be female: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2004042/Naked-female-scientist-tries-tame-beluga-whales-arctic.html
Photoshop do show no evidence. But it is known that certain types of doping result into à more male appearance.
One thinks of the East German women athletes, for example, who underwent heavy doping, and who developed a more masculine appearance. But also weight lifting, and protracted free diving could give her that physique.
How deep it is?
“Better stay home at -36 C!”
That’s when the garden party begins.
Man’s hand, Jaw hands, man stuff in super cold water. Don’t hold my beer i Can’t do that ! :]
Incredible photos!
Yep, pay no attention to that sign.
How does she ward off hypothermia? Maybe in part this is because of her exceptional physical condition?
How does water stay liquid at -36C?
salt
No. Sea water freezes at about -2°C. The water is still liquid at -36°C because that’s the AIR temperature. Water has a very high heat storage capacity, which means it takes a lot longer to cool than air. That’s why the water temperature is still above 0 (5°C) even though the upper water layer may freeze up due to the direct contact with the cold air, thus forming an ice layer on the surface.
Why is the sign only in English? Is this not a cave in Russia? Shouldn’t the sign also be in Russian and other languages? I have read that many people from around the world go there to dive. And die..
Very nice work and stunning pictures! Big thanks for dedication!