pks4000
New member
The name comes from a Laplander word, pulkke, meaning travelling sled..... they used to be made of wood and reindeer hide.
So far the most cost effective and lightweight plastic sleds come from Paris Co. in Maine. The are quick to build (1 hour or less) and last years.
Images and building info to follow in separate post.
The amazing Sherpa K did a great post on this a few years back . Our new Evo (He he couldnt resist) design is so simple and light I'll offer it as an alternative construction.
The orange one, about 37.00 (1 source is Aubuchon ) is better made than the smaller ones but a tad too long and heavier. Sherpa K has his "Beast"
I cut off the tail of the sled to shorten it and let snow flow off the end instead of the back of the sled "tub" filling with snow.
We cut it about 50 inches in length. WHY there?
If you intend to ride your Pulkke out you will fold your PVC towbars back on the sled on top of your pack and you dont want the tow bar dragging behind the sled while you surf.
Some put a cross bar across the 3/4 inch PVC pipes at the 1/2 way point (tow bars) but it weakens the pipes at the T joints (personal experience)
Some cover their sleds, we dont, its a pain to get stuff out of your pack on the way .
ALWAYS stop and lift your sled over running water or you will increase the coeficient of friction exponentially . If several are towing have the wman behind you lift your sled and so on. The last person must "drop harness" and carry the sled over but the minute it takes to re-up the harness is worth it.
We always tow if we can.
We quit when the "gravitational mechanical advantage "makes towing harder than carrying. It will be obvious to you.
I watched Frodo haul his Pulkke into Zealand ,up Zealand and eventaully over the Bonds in what turned into a sierra cement X country slow out the Lincoln Woods/Wilderness Trail. Definately a super human endeavor.
I will take images of our sled and harness set up and post them ....otherwise this post will be too verbose.
Explanatory text will accompany the images as well as braking tchniquesfor the "down ride".
Some out and back routes "made" for towing.
Any road approach.
Carrigain Road: All he way in on the road and then a considerable distance up the trail. You can ride the sled
out .
Dicey Mill: Tow up and bobsled down a mile or so at the end of the day. One of the best return slide routes in NH.
Into Zealand Hut .
Into Bondcliff Trail and up quite a way.
Cabot Trail if the water crossings are frozen
Mt Garfield Road and a good deal of the Trail Quite a ride down!
Gale River Trail ....Almost to the gravel outwash Wonderful
Into East Osceola
Into the North /South Hancock split.
Some of Valley Way Not enough tho
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail .
Up the Moosi road to Gorge Brook.
Liberty Springs from the Flume lot .
Images and building info to follow.
Climbing Stallion/BMT
So far the most cost effective and lightweight plastic sleds come from Paris Co. in Maine. The are quick to build (1 hour or less) and last years.
Images and building info to follow in separate post.
The amazing Sherpa K did a great post on this a few years back . Our new Evo (He he couldnt resist) design is so simple and light I'll offer it as an alternative construction.
The orange one, about 37.00 (1 source is Aubuchon ) is better made than the smaller ones but a tad too long and heavier. Sherpa K has his "Beast"
I cut off the tail of the sled to shorten it and let snow flow off the end instead of the back of the sled "tub" filling with snow.
We cut it about 50 inches in length. WHY there?
If you intend to ride your Pulkke out you will fold your PVC towbars back on the sled on top of your pack and you dont want the tow bar dragging behind the sled while you surf.
Some put a cross bar across the 3/4 inch PVC pipes at the 1/2 way point (tow bars) but it weakens the pipes at the T joints (personal experience)
Some cover their sleds, we dont, its a pain to get stuff out of your pack on the way .
ALWAYS stop and lift your sled over running water or you will increase the coeficient of friction exponentially . If several are towing have the wman behind you lift your sled and so on. The last person must "drop harness" and carry the sled over but the minute it takes to re-up the harness is worth it.
We always tow if we can.
We quit when the "gravitational mechanical advantage "makes towing harder than carrying. It will be obvious to you.
I watched Frodo haul his Pulkke into Zealand ,up Zealand and eventaully over the Bonds in what turned into a sierra cement X country slow out the Lincoln Woods/Wilderness Trail. Definately a super human endeavor.
I will take images of our sled and harness set up and post them ....otherwise this post will be too verbose.
Explanatory text will accompany the images as well as braking tchniquesfor the "down ride".
Some out and back routes "made" for towing.
Any road approach.
Carrigain Road: All he way in on the road and then a considerable distance up the trail. You can ride the sled
out .
Dicey Mill: Tow up and bobsled down a mile or so at the end of the day. One of the best return slide routes in NH.
Into Zealand Hut .
Into Bondcliff Trail and up quite a way.
Cabot Trail if the water crossings are frozen
Mt Garfield Road and a good deal of the Trail Quite a ride down!
Gale River Trail ....Almost to the gravel outwash Wonderful
Into East Osceola
Into the North /South Hancock split.
Some of Valley Way Not enough tho
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail .
Up the Moosi road to Gorge Brook.
Liberty Springs from the Flume lot .
Images and building info to follow.
Climbing Stallion/BMT
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