Question

Winter began harshly and the land is slippery. "Even guys can't take it as of late." Can you please explain the meaning of the second sentence?

Answer 1

It's used to exaggerate conditions

Explanation:

From the context, it seems this book is written in the times where men were seen as strong and women were inferior.
Thus the second sentence is describing that it is SO cold that not even the strong people of their society can't handle it.