The Penultimate Pulk Sled - Design

For more info go to http://drpulk.blogspot.com/

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Pulk
• Sled

[DrPulk]

Towed a Penultimate Pulk sled around Crater Lake last April through some pretty hairy snow conditions. It worked great! I replaced frayed belt attachment cords on the 3rd day caused by the center attachment configuration. Instead of passing the cords through the 2 grommets in opposite directions, I now pass both cords in the left and out the right center grommet, using just one quick link. Fraying problem solved, PLUS it tracks much better this way.

[hjaadd]

Really nice system :) Best I've seen so far. I was just wondering if you have used it with skis? How does it follow you in steep downhills (with skis or snowshoes)? Does the poles bend alot? And do you have a spring-system, for a smoother ride?

[DrPulk]

@hjaadd Thanks. Be sure to take a look my blog link under the video. The rear runners and both poles in the center of the back kept the sled behind me pretty well on some pretty steep downhills on Mt. Hood. It was steep enough that I had to dig the MSR snowshoes in sideways to keep from slipping, and the center poles let you turn without turning the sled. If you have really long skis, you should get 6' poles (see blog), but 5 foot works for most skis.

[DrPulk]

@hjaadd A spring system would reduce the control of the sled. There's some spring in the belt and rope attachments, and the belt pad cushions pretty well. You also get used to walking more smoothly. I haven't had any problems in that area.

[hjaadd]

@DrPulk What do you do if your poles break far out in the woods? I have just made a smiliar system. Didn't add springs either. Only difference from your system is that instead of glassfiber poles, I have ropes going through tubes, with loops at each end. All repairable in the field. Only built with ropes, good knots, a pair of carabiners (wich isn't essential, just added for less friction between ropes) and the pipes. If the pipes break, I have a regular rope-sled wich works until I get home.

[DrPulk]

@hjaadd The fiberglass poles themselves are very strong and flexible, so something else would probably break before they did. On Mt. Hood, the sled slid around to the side on a very steep downhill and the crossed poles flipped it over upside down UPHILL and stopped. Then, switching to center attached poles kept the sled behind me on downhills. I do carry pre-cut rope loops for the ends of the poles, but haven't had to use them. I also carry enough rope to hang myself (or tow the sled).

[sukusin]

Thanks for your informative article. I liked it very much..



[Wintertrekker]

Excellent! Thank you for showing all those technical details. 

[DiversiTune]

@machbaby You can't use the plain grommets you get in a package because they're too short for the sled, and not strong enough for the belt. You need to use "spur" grommets. Check out the blog link in the description, which tells where I got the grommets and installation tool, and the rest of the stuff.

Another option for installing grommets is to go to an awning shop and have them do it.

[machbaby]

Well done...it's often the seemingly simple, efficient ways of doing things elude me.

How were the grommets installed? Did you use a special hand tool or the little punch and anvil that comes in the package?

Thanks.

[ochemistrytutor]

thanks a bunch for your time and candor ... best wishes to you.

Dwayne