A growing number of brave upperclassmen are walking through communal areas, braving froshbite and worse, driven by fears of missing dinner.

The enormous risk was highlighted last weekend by a Caltech junior’s tragic loss of three toes and two fingers. On Tuesday, Vivan Singh, ’18, offered to tell his story to The Torch:

I was passing through a communal area, when I saw some permafrosh lying on the ground. I thought to myself, how bad could it be? I mean, it didn’t feel like I was out there for that long. But, once I returned to my room, I discovered that my fingers and toes had turned grey.

Vivan had some words of wisdom to share, as well.

I learned my lesson, and I want to share it: be careful of frosh. Even a little bit can be harmful.

As a caution, and a reminder, The Torch is sharing the most common symptoms of froshbite.

• A dysfunctional sleep schedule
• A distorted perception of time
• Slurred speech, such as: “piff, piff”
• Marked drowsiness

Seek a doctor immediately if you believe you have experienced froshbite.