They're very deer to me! The hardships a reindeer herder endures to protect his animals (including fighting off wolves and sleeping outside in -60C temperatures)

Vladimir Bagadaev, 46, lives alone in northern Russia and faces one of the most extreme climates on the planet

Reindeer herder lives in a log cabin but if his reindeer travel too far from home he sleeps out overnight

He will then light a fire and make a bed from snow before climbing into the sleeping bag handed down from his father



Vladimir is one of a tiny population of Siberian indigenous people, known as the Evenks


In the frozen wilderness of northern Russia, reindeer herder Vladimir Bagadaev lives alone, braving temperatures of -60c and even sleeping outside to protect his animals.

The 46-year-old is one of a tiny population of Siberian indigenous people, known as the Evenks, whose association with reindeer dates back to prehistory.

Valdimir lives an often isolated life in a small log cabin near the forest, or taiga, battling one of the most extreme climates on the planet on a daily basis .

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Wanderer: A handful of times every winter, when the animals wander particularly far, Vladimir is unable to make it back to his cabin and must sleep under the stars in temperatures that can dip below -60c

Isolation: Reindeer herder Vladimir Bagadaev lives alone in one of the most extreme climates on the planet, braving temperatures of -60c and even sleeping outside to protect his animals

Tradition: The 46-year-old is one of a tiny population of Siberian indigenous people, known as the Evenks, whose association with reindeer dates back to prehistory

His hut sits next to a river that in winter serves as a highway for vehicles transporting supplies to towns deep in the arctic wilderness.

One of the truckers who regularly stops off at Vladimir's hut to take a break from their journey is his brother Alexei Bagadaev.

Alexei's job comes with its own special kind of problems, which sometimes involves using a makeshift blowtorch to help his truck start.

Vehicles in the region leave their engines running constantly while outside to stop the diesel from freezing, but on extremely cold days even the grease inside an engine can freeze.

During the summer the river is thawed and impassable and even Vladimir's trucker visitors dry up.

Home: Valdimir lives an often isolated life in a small log cabin near the forest, or taiga, battling one of the most extreme climates on the planet on a daily basis

Protection: Vladimir's reindeer remain half wild and when the herd decides to move out into the taiga he has little choice but to don his soviet rifle - used as protection against wolves - and follow

Despite his isolation, Vladimir cites his reindeers' companionship as his reason for enjoying life in the wilderness.



'My herd is small and you come to know each reindeer,' he said.



'In time they become like friends.'

The reindeers also provide Vladimir with transportation. As well as getting them haul to homemade sleds, Vladimir also rides them like horses using a special saddle unique to the Evenk culture.

This is placed on the animal's shoulders to lessen the strain and a long stick, rather than stirrups, is used for balance.

Transportation: Vladimir rides the reindeer like horses using a special saddle unique to the Evenk culture

Twilight: A full moon rising above a herd of reindeer a few minutes after they returned home from a day foraging in the forest

Setting up camp: When Vladimir is forced to sleep outside he will first locate a dead tree trunk which he will set his fire against before piling the wood high to create a large blaze

History: Vladimir's way of life echoes the way his ancestors have lived for centuries. However, increasingly, the Evenks' traditional way of life is coming under pressure

He said:'The reindeer give you everything - food, transport, clothing. A car can't go everywhere but a reindeer, slowly but surely, will get you through mountains, snow and forest.'

Although his main base is a cosy log cabin, Vladimir's reindeer remain half wild and when the herd decides to move out into the taiga he has little choice but to don his soviet rifle - used as protection against wolves - and follow.

A handful of times every winter, when the animals wander particularly far, Vladimir is unable to make it back to his cabin and must sleep under the stars in temperatures that can dip below -60c.



Cold comfort: Vladimir lays his sleeping pouch down after creating a shallow windbreak next to the fire while demonstrating his method for sleeping outside in temperatures of -60c

Ready for bed: Amazingly, he then removes his jacket and outer trousers, for 'comfort', before climbing into his old woollen and canvas sleeping pouch, which was given to him by his father

Far from cosy: Vladimir removes his trousers for bed

Preparations: After a quick snow face-rub, and with his fur hat remaining firmly in place, he's ready for bed

Cosied up: Vladimir in his sleeping pouch with his fur hat on

On such occasions Vladimir carefully sets up camp to see him through the long cold night.

To being with he locates a dead tree trunk which he will set his fire against before piling the wood high to create a large blaze.

He then scoops a shallow windbreak out of the snow to form his bed.

Amazingly, he then removes his jacket and outer trousers, for 'comfort', before climbing into his old woollen and canvas sleeping pouch, which was given to him by his father.

After a quick snow face-rub, and with his fur hat remaining firmly in place, he's ready for bed.

Vladimir's way of life echoes the way his ancestors have lived for centuries. However, increasingly, the Evenks' traditional way of life is coming under pressure.

Location: Vladimir's hut sits next to a river that in winter serves as a highway for vehicles transporting supplies to towns deep in the arctic wilderness

Alone again: During the summer the river is thawed and impassable and even Vladimir's trucker visitors dry up

Company: One of the truckers who regularly stops off at Vladimir's hut to take a break from their journey is his brother Alexei Bagadaev

Nadezhda Kladkina-Klisheiko, head of administration in the nearby town of Topolina, has been supporting Vladimir and other Evenks in the region as best she can.

'The situation is difficult here,' she said. 'You can get a government subsidy for herding reindeer, but only if the herd numbers more than 800.'

With Vladimir's herd numbering just 45, he makes do as best he can by selling the meat and fur he doesn't use himself.

According to Ms Kladkina-Klisheiko, despite his financial situation Vladimir has no intention of giving up the life of his ancestors.

Car trouble: Alexei's job comes with its own special kind of problems, which sometimes involves using a makeshift blowtorch to help his truck start

'The government expects a large return from their investment, but for the Evenk people it's a way of life and not a business. His reindeer are his own and he loves them.'

Locals now hope that their ancient way of life can be supported by adventurous tourists wanting to spend time in the unchanging wilderness.

Vladimir said: 'Here in the north the wilderness is clean and never changes, that's why we call it "eternity".'

Photographer Amos Chapple was one such adventurous traveler.

'It's a long way off the grid, but if tourists manage to get out there they'll be made very welcome,' he said.