Pulk - Gear Sled

A pulk is a Norwegian gear sled.  These make transporting gear over snow far easier than trying to carry it on you back

Pulk (Gear Sled)

• Pulk is a Norwegian word for a small gear sled

• Great alternative to large winter backpack

• If you are getting a pack just for the winter, consider instead making an equipment sled (Pulk)

• It is often easier to drag a Pulk filled with gear over show than to carry a stripped down winter pack

  • Many scouts can't carry a loaded 90 Liter Pack but can drag Pulk with the same amount of gear

• A Pulk is also less expensive to put together than a purchasing a winter pack

• Eagle Claw Shappell Sleds

  • www.shappell.co/sleds.html 

  • Polyethylene Sleds designed for Ice Fishing and Hunting (as opposed to sledding down hills)

  • Jet Sled Jr

    • 42"L x 21"W x 8"H; 6 Lbs.

    • Great size for Scout

    • Occasionaly go on sale at sportsmans.com

    • Kodiak Jr 

      • 43"L x 21"W x 9"H; 8 Lbs.

      • Heavy duty version of Jet Sled Jr

      • Width is about the same size as a snowshoer's single track

  • Jet Sled 1

    • 54"L x 25"W x 10"H; 11.5 Lbs.

    • Great size for Adult Leader or for Troop/Patrol use

    • This is wider than a Jet Sled Jr

      • Little more stable

      • Less likely to flip over

      • Wider means it also doesn't fit into a single track and will widen a path

  • Kodiak 1

    • 54"L x 25"W x 11"H; 15 Lbs.

    • Heavy duty version of Jet Sled 

Pulk Poles Mounts

This is the most challenging part of putting a pulk together.  Luckily, there are several options

•  SkiPulk.com Channel Kit

  • skipulk.com 

  • Really nice hardware

• All Rope

  • Lace rope around sides and back of pulk and have them come out in the front

  • Tie a loop in the end or run the roop straight through your poles

• U-Bolts

  • Use wide washers or better yet - make a large, flat backing to help distribute the load on the u-bolt

  • youtube.com/watch?v=AhB2B3WoV4A 

• Rubber hose

  • ¾” rubber hose or and old sprinkler hose

  • youtube.com/watch?v=0Z3FzX8rybE 

• Eye bolts

  • Not the best setup for long term use, but it does work

  • youtube.com/watch?v=Iwj_hW2iETs 

Pulk Poles

Fiberglass and PVC pipe are the most popular materials used for Pulk Poles

• PVC Pipe

  • 5-6 foot sections of ½" schedule 40 PVC 

  • Grey Electrical conduit pipe

  • 5 foot for snowshoers and 6 for skiers

  • Cross pipes to prevent sled from passing you downhill 

    • If you set up the poles parallel to each other, the pulk will pass you to the side when going downhill

    • If you set up the poles in a V with the V to your back, the V will punch you in the back when going downhill

  • Various mounting options:

    • Run rope through pipe

      • Minimum 3/8" or 8mm polypropylene rope

      • Pull out AS MUCH slack as possible 

    • Epoxy eyebolts on end

      • 4 3/8" x 5" Eye Bolts 

      • 4 3/8" Hex Nuts

      • Screw nut onto bolt, heat up and push it through the end to allow for a tight fit

      • Use epoxy to secure eyebolt and nuts to inside of pipe ends 

Pulk Mods

• Pulk Lacing

  • Lacing the sides of your pulk like an expedition canoe will allow you to easily tie down gear

    • 6-8mms cord works great

    • 550 cord will also work, but will eventually wear out

• Pulk Pads

  • Cut up closed cell foam pad to fit in bottom of pulk

  • Protects pulk from gear thrown in pulk

  • Use pad as sleeping/sitting/standing/kitchen insulation

• Pulk Brake

  • skipulk.com

  • fortunebay.org