That Good Ol' Tipi Living

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HOW A TIPI WORKS

As you can imagine, the construction theories behind this amazing dwelling weren't "built in a day". The " modern" tipi is the result of a Ong trial-and-error development ... which produced three features that make this structure a real standout among functional shelters.

The tipi's first—and central—architectural earmark is ts shape. The base of the building's cone is not circular ... but oval! This egglike contour (with As wide back end toward the prevailing wind) is quite sturdy and galeresistant. The oval design also means that the fire-and the smoke holecan be placed in the front part of the tipi. By moving the blaze forward, tipi residents obtain more living (and standing) space inside We dwelling. More important, though, the "front room" fireplace means that—because the smoke hole doesn't have to open or shut around the poles—the top opening can be completely closed (once the fire is extinguished) during unusually strong rainstorms,

Actually, tipi dwellers can stay dry in most showers—even with the hole open—because o f the structure's second design innovation: the smoke flaps. These two sheets of material (we on either side of the "exhaust'' hole) do more than just close over the top opening. When set quartering downwind, the flaps stop slanting rain from entering the home ... and provide draft for the fire as well!

The third crucial feature of a tipi's design (and one that can't be seen from the shelter's outside) is a six-foot-tall liner that's hung around We entire interior of the conical home. This dew cloth has several functions. For one thing, it keeps the rain that runs down the poles (and any moisture that condenses on We main canvas) away from the central living space. Furthermore, because the liner extends all the way to the ground (the outside cover does not), air can run up the sides of the tipi and out the smoke hole ... greatly improving the fire's draft. Finally, the wall covering acts as a perfect warming—and coolling—insulation layer. As a matter of fact, tipis would—without their liners-be drafty, damp, sooty, hot in summer, and cold in winter. . . sort of like conventional tents.

Of course, it isn't quite as easy to pitch a tipi as it would be to throw together one of the more common backpacker's shelters made of aluminum ples and nylon. Some how—to knowledge is vital to anyone attempting to erect-or fabricate-one of these versatile dwellings, but I'm not going to go into the subject in detail ... for two reasons: [1] The definitive tipi bookReginald and Gladys Laubin's The Indian Tipi—is readily available and should be consulted by anyone who wants to learn more about this sort of shelter. And [3] a very detailed build-your-self guide has a Ready been published in—would you believe?—pag es 29-40 of MOTHER NO. 1!

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