Ray is dropped by helicopter on a nameless location, roughly 63N 96E, in the vast wasteland, to experience the nomadic way of life of Sasha's 'brigade' (tribal unit) of the native Ivenk (Ewenk) people. These people herd reindeer in the taiga, a calorie-poor semi-barren forest gripped by permafrost. He learns general ancient artisan-techniques like building fences by lightly assembling fresh-cut branches, slaughtering and processing reindeer, lasso-throwing and knot-tying, packing for their monthly camp-moving. Ray also admires specialist work, like sowing baskets from birch bark, tailor-boot-and-sock-making from fur and fishing with nets and rafts in icy water not fit to swim in.
