Comments on: Build a gear sled the dirt bagger way

By: How to Prepare for a Yurt Trip - blog.jans.com

How to Prepare for a Yurt Trip - blog.jans.com — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 18:42:32 +0000

[…] another pack. There are a number of pulk sleds out there, but I’ve had zero issues with this DIY pulk sled. With that being said, I will say the best option, by far, is to just invite someone that has […]

By: the mitch

the mitch — Sun, 09 Jun 2019 16:16:25 +0000

Going on season 21 with my homemade pulk. I love these things! My first effort wore out due to my not using grommets or washer reinforcers. Ours has a pack waistband and stainless braided wire with dogline clips and eyelets. I don’t go out winter camping without it. At 64 it lets me carry the spare gear that make things comfortable in the cold. This summer I’m adding runners. Go pulk yourselves! eh

By: Bernie penner

Bernie penner — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 15:05:37 +0000

I have used a simular setup for years . But i used copper pipe . 2 elbows at sleigh end and joined by a short pce of pipe . Then fasten to sleigh . Attach to a padded waist belt . No slack . Weight is noticable on uphill but not on flats or downhill . I have used it on over a hundred miles of rolling terrain . I have always placed my backpack in sleigh . Just in case my sled jets damaged . But i have never needed it .

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 02:07:26 +0000

In reply to Ian s.. Cool! Thx for sharing.

By: Ian s.

Ian s. — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 01:44:04 +0000

I have found scaffold scissors (crosspiece from collapsible painting scaffold sets) to be the best poles they are extremely rigid, bolted at center, and have perfect carabiner holes. Not to mention they can be used as is no cutting just some fitting, and I have found them in junkyards or on c-list for free that’s $0.00. Worth a look!

By: Joshua fisher

Joshua fisher — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 05:25:30 +0000

Travois would be better for dry terrain and Rocky conditions then if the supports get to chewed up just cut new ones

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 04:56:06 +0000

In reply to Karen. Wow! That's awesome. Thanks so much for sharing this story. What an endorsement! :)

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 04:36:22 +0000

This was great! On Friday afternoon, 2 hours from being picked up for a weekend at a ski-in State Park cabin, having just found out my friends were all bringing sleds instead of backpacking, I thought, dang I really don’t want to carry such a heavy bag! So I searched the so-useful internet, and found expensive, complicated, skill-heavy designs for pulks. Then I found yours! I ran around finding stuff in the shed and garage, some spare pex long enough for the poles, some spare rope (no idea what size or strength), a couple big beeners, and slapped it all together. My doubting mind said it Is going to fall apart halfway down the trail, so I kept my already packed gear in the backpack, just in case, and off we went. In the pitch dark, about zero degrees in no-cell reception Alaska, the ski in went off without a hitch!

Our other friends had arrived earlier, built a fire and made dinner. A great weekend out! The sled helped us haul wood for the fire, then performed flawlessly on the way out too. My humble but helpful sled crossed the winter trail this afternoon, just after the Yukon Quest sled dog race teams had passed by. What a great article, thank you!

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 19:00:31 +0000

In reply to Charlie. I don't think it would work for the rougher area such as you are proposing. Really meant for powdery snow. Cheers!

By: Charlie

Charlie — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 15:12:46 +0000

Hi!
That is a great device you came up with. My question is whether it will work, or can be modified to work, on dry terrain. I would like to haul some basic supplies to a cabin in the Shenandoah National Forest. It is located at the bottom of a 1.5 mile-long, moderately steep, and somewhat rocky trail, with no vehicle access. My concern is that the sled will get torn to shreds without the snow reducing the friction. On the other hand, if it is cheap to make, I don’t mind if it only lasts for one or two round-trip outings.
I remember using a litter made of hard, flexible plastic when I was in Ranger school years ago. It was unwieldy, but did the trick (unless you were the injured person strapped to the litter, in which case it hurt like hell.) Any idea if your invention would mimic the litter concept?
Thanks!
Charlie