Wigwams

#21

Is the smoke easily evacuated in a wigwam?

Thanks for sharing the pictures. It incites me to plan for new projects, etc.

#22

With the smoke hole and door flap both open, the ventilation is good. Even with just the smoke hole, plenty can escape, especially since the walls aren’t air-tight. I had a problem a couple nights ago with moist wood smoking the place up, and the smoke cleared pretty quickly. Today, I made sure to have bone dry wood.

#23

I really appreciate the info. I am doing my Senior project on Rewilding, and I’m planning on making a Wigwam in the playground area at my school.

I was wondering, what other kinds of materials can you use for the covering that are easiest to find? I don’t know where to get cattails or barks that would work, and I’m not sure about canvas or hides. I would love to use hides but I haven’t the slightest idea of where to find them in the Portland area…Any ideas?

#24

Aside from the burlap that my high school class used, I don’t have any other ideas.

#25

Lookin good Dan :slight_smile: I may be doing something similar at the new place, I’ll letcha know.

#26
#27

That’s way cooler than mine, though I did notice the door looked a bit tall. Mine requires hunching over, and I’m not very tall. I didn’t see it anywhere, but did he say what he used for the door flap and smoke hole cover? I’m looking to replace the piece of plywood I use for my smoke hole for something easier to handle and that will block more of the airflow when closed.

#28

I think he said he’s gathering the materials to weave a mat for the door. I imagine he’s using one of those bark slabs for his smoke hole.

#29

Ah, neat. I’m still hoping to get some bark sheets for mine. Might just put them over the tarps, for extra insulation.

#30

Yeah, make it usable now and continue to work on it or another one while you get familiar with how to live in it.

#31

Those’re both awesome!

#32

Dan,

Any updates on your wigwam? Have you done much living in it? Are you staying warm?

~wildeyes

#33

Oi, I haven’t been out there in months, actually. It stayed pretty dry, and I was able to sleep comfortably in it for awhile. But without funds or enough blankets around, I didn’t have anything to insulate it with for the winter. Nearly froze my ass off out there one night after the weather changed, even with a fire going. Tarps might keep rain out, but they don’t keep the heat in well. I might try to scavenge felt from old car trunks, maybe start piling up debris around it as well. I think I have to clean it out first, whatever I do, since I left a bunch of stuff in there.