The thick ice fog gave rise to jokes, practical tips and spiritual considerations last week as journalism students collected campus views in a non-scientific survey.

"I like it, actually," said Chris Hukushi, sounding decidedly upbeat despite the 40-below weather and the ice fog shrouding the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. "It's kind of surreal," said the 18-year-old computer science major from New Jersey.

The cold survey took shape as Journalism 202 news-reporting students interviewed Hukushi and about three dozen others chosen at random on the east campus last Thursday. Each person contacted was asked the same opening question: "What's your secret for navigating life in the ice fog?"

Michael Smith, 24, responded to the question with comic glee. "I try to avoid playing football outside in this temperature," he said. "Just have a good sense of humor about it." The mechanical engineering student also found solace viewing the harsh weather from a historical perspective. "One hundred years ago people did this without car heaters or Gortex," Smith pointed out. "I'm just thankful for indoor plumbing."

"Slow down, big time" and cover "all the bases," recommended non-traditional student Don Zigga. "Use lights and all kinds of safety devices," said the 51-year-old, listing personal counter measures to the cold. "Dress warmly. Carry survival gear in your vehicle. Try to keep your animals inside as much as possible."

Brandon Seifert, a 25-year-old theater major, responded with various strategies for battling the winter's threats. "Invest in layers, and sit in the sauna once a week," he recommends. "I took a trip out of town and that seemed to help too".

Outdoor Adventures staff member and student Cameron Baird also favors the escapist approach. "I look on the Internet for airline tickets down south," the 31-year-old said.

Mind-over-matter is the tactic many apply, including Nicole Parris, a 19-year-old student senator. "I think of a nice warm place," she said. "I think of California, Hawaii, sitting on a beach."

"It's all about the Zen mind," agreed Caleb Kuntz. "Be one with the fog," the 21-year-old student said. "It's all about the five-minute meditation before you go outside, that's really the most important part."

Library assistant Raymond Owen, likewise, approaches cold as a mental test. "I just pretend its warm and keep walking," said the 22-year-old philosophy major. "It's just mind over matter," he added. "If you don't mind, the cold it just doesn't matter.

Uyoyou Ogbe trusts her spiritual guardian's influence from above. "I guess I just rely on the Lord," said the 25-year-old music major, describing a recent scary highway mishap traveling to Anchorage. "It was really slick and I went into the ditch. My car's okay and I'm okay."

Non-traditional student Martin Roach, 43, said he draws upon service experience, the value of concentration and spiritual support. "I stay focused by both listening to East Indian music and practicing my devotion to St. Michael through prayer and worship." Roach said that this practice helped him during the time spent in cold weather infantry operations with the Eskimo and Indian Scouts.

Drawing upon many years of military experience, Robin Wagner, a 40-year-old natural resources major, simply forges ahead. "I just go through it, no secret," she said. "Some things you just do."

With thick fog gripping the streets of downtown and wafting ghostlike over The Hill, practical navigation tools received priority among several respondents.
"Headlights," snapped fine art major Ian Burcroff.

Visibility also remains a priority for Noah George a 24-year-old adjunct. "Use your headlights," he said.

Project manager Ross O'Hare, 53, said he deals with the ice fog by keeping his eyes open, and traveling straight ahead.

"Just be mellow about it, and drive slow," suggested business major Lance Russell, 25, as he stood outside the Eielson Building loading quarters into a parking meter.

"I run," said Rene Headley, a 20-year-old bank teller at Northern Schools Federal Credit Union. "And I use my headlights."

Josh Toennessen, a 21-year-old justice major said he drives with calculated bravado. "I go slower and keep a close eye out for people coming and going," he said, "but other than that I just close my eyes and stomp the gas."

"We need a stay home cut off point at minus 40," contends dance teacher Judy Kreith. Since this isn't the case in "Freezer Banks," as Kreith put it, she "just keeps on smiling, and plays the defense on the road."

Wood Center front desk supervisor, T. J. Franklin, 28, suggested sticking to the basics when confronting arctic temperatures. "Stay warm, keep your face covered, and take your time especially with your car." He points out, "Things just don't operate well in this kind of weather."

Nathan Nash, a 25-year-old student and bookstore employee, sided with the crowd that gave priority to evading the elements. "I try to stay away indoors, put on ear muffs, warm clothes," Nash explained, "and walk quickly."

Sophomore Jennifer Pfeffer shared a mechanic's list of practical tips. "Make sure your car is plugged in, and let it warm up for a long time. Don't use your brights," the 23-year-old Civil Engineering major said. "Make sure you have studded tires, and that your car is winterized."

On the positive side, she added, "40 degrees below zero makes 20 degrees below zero seem much warmer."

"I put the truck head lights on low and just chill," said JJ Boggs, grinning. The 35-year-old campus leadership development coordinator views ice fog as a reminder that everyone needs to take it easy. "It's like a chill pill," Boggs said.

Forty-year-old UAF Fiscal Officer Gail Wheeler has a simple ice fog navigation strategy: "common sense."
The weather's challenge reminds Nora Gruner, a 49-year-old photojournalist, of a comment she once heard from a musher out on the Yukon Quest, "Go slow and try not to hit anything," Dieter Zierngible told Gruner.

Bookstore student assistant Stev Anderson dresses for warmth, comfort and defense "I don't expose my eyes too much," said the 18-year-old freshman, "and I don't wear shorts.

"Have you seen those crazy people running around outside in shorts?" he added, "It's ridiculous."

Leah Wilson, a 23-year-old Fairbanks resident and regular campus visitor, likes to "stay active and visit warm places with lots of people. Like UAF," she said.

The frigid weather added urgency to Maria Trinidad's moving plans. "Get the hell out," the 30-year-old bookstore cashier said of her reaction to ice fog. Trinidad was looking forward to leaving Alaska for Texas the next morning.

Kristen Bradley, 35, who works in housing fee collections, regarded the ice fog with disgust. "I avoid it like the plague. I try not to breathe in or go out if I can. If I have to I just grit my teeth and keep going." Bradley expresses a preference, above all, for staying inside.

Conditions maddening to some, give others satisfaction.
"It's not as bad as I thought it would be," countered Louise Farquharson, who is on exchange from Brighton, England. "I've got bunny boots," added the 21-year-old physical geography major, "so I'm good."

Navigating ice fog isn't solely cause for grit or practicality.

Franz Gibbons, 39, capitalized through imagination. "I turn it into a mysterious adventure," the senior psychology major said.

Sitting on the couch inside Signer's Hall, filling out forms, Elyse Yeager reflected on the cold somewhat wistfully. "This is my last winter in Fairbanks, and I look at it as a novelty," said the 21-year-old, who is graduating this spring with a mathematics degree. "I enjoy it."

JRN 202 News reporting students contributing to this report: Kimberly Allerdice, Ira Barnes, Amy Boaro, Amber Clark, Cary Curlee, Faye Gallant, Naomi Hagelund, Mara Hnilicka, Chris Meurlott, Alexis Miller, Anna Mintz, Alec Von Tellrop, Tracy Tipton and Casey Yordy.