Nome residents and visitors gathered together on the weekend of the Midnight Sun to participate in the annual Polar Plunge. The only rule for this event is that plungers must dunk their heads under the 41-degree water and get their hair wet. Other plungers had additional rules, such as staying in the icy water for a minute. However, they quickly realized how difficult that goal was, due to how cold and deep the water was but also due to strong winds and currents. After the plunge, participants could warm up by a large bonfire and enjoy reindeer dogs provided by the Nome Rotary Club, hosts of the Nome Polar Plunge.
A man in a polar bear costume cheered on the plungers. Ben Townsend photo.
