Shelter
Traditional Housing: The Tsataan live in teepees. They construct the frame using trees from the surrounding mountains and cover the logs with a weather-proof heavy duty nylon fabric. A small area is covered with heavy plastic to allow light inside. The teepee is heated using a small iron wood/dung-burning stove. They use reindeer pelts to line portions of the floors for further insulation. The teepee is big and can sleep up to 10 people (or more depending on how cozy you want to be).
Modern Alternative: My friends and I used REI’s Camp Dome 4 Tent, a three-season tent that sleeps 4 people. At some points during rain storms the four of us squeezed our two horse herder buddies in as well. Our tent was equipped with both a polyester rain fly and a nylon foot print, protecting both the roof and floor from water. We utilized the side mesh pockets to hold our headlamps and other smaller gear.
The REI tent was great. However, during our time living with the Tsataan, we opted to stay with them in the comfort of their large teepees.
