Edited by Rachel Duncan 4th Edition ISBN 0-907649-91-2 London ...

Transport and Travel 51
those ‘backpackable’ can be hauled in relative comfort. With a larger sledge, unsupported
journeys of up to 100 days with sledge loads of up to 400lbs may be considered.
Although not always essential, it is often a decided advantage for the hauler to ski
and this can lead to faster, more efficient and safer journeys. Even complete beginners can
soon learn to haul on skis. Keeping weight down will be an important factor in planning
and should receive every consideration. For example: is that all singing, all dancing Swiss
army penknife really necessary or will only a few features get used?
5.6.2 Types of sledges
The three common types of sledge are Scandinavian pulkas (pulks in the UK), the
traditional wooden ‘Nansen’ style sledges, and for smaller trips, the plastic ‘kiddie’ sledge.
There are clear advantages and disadvantages for each type, which are described below.
i) Pulks. These may be between 1m and over 2m long and more usually made of
fibreglass/resin laminate, although wooden ones are still available. For lightweight and,
more particularly, for improved impact resistance and strength properties, Kevlar and
carbon fibre composite pulks can be made. The cost of these, however, could be up to
three times that for fibreglass or wood.
A pulk is basically an elongated tray with shaped sides. A cover may be integral with
the shell, and more useful if waterproof. Straps from within the pulk shell or over the
cover serve to tie down and contain the load.
The bottom of the tray is shaped, with two or more keels. These are the runners, usually
shod with high-density polyethylene or sometimes PTFE which are important for
helping to keep the pulk travelling in a straight line.
The hauler wears a harness, which clips into a rigid or semi-rigid double pole hauling
shaft and which must be sufficiently long (about 2m) to prevent interference between
the rear of the hauler’s skis and the pulk. The shaft is attached at the front of the pulk
and allows the hauler to control the pulk’s movement. This is particularly important
when traversing or descending slopes.
If the situation does not demand this measure of control, the pulk can of course be
hauled with just a rope, although when descending slopes, the pulk will want to
overtake the hauler or even run them down! To alleviate this you could run a rope from
the back of the sledge to the person behind with a prusik attached to this rope to prevent
the sledge from running too far forward. Alternatively, fit a rope brake under the front
of the pulk for descents of any long or steep slopes.
On the Arctic Ocean it is standard practice to use a long length 6mm cord as trace with
small knotted loops every 60 cm so. These loops act as useful handles that are easier to
grip than the cord and they can also be very quickly clipped together with a karabiner to
shorten the overall length of trace when negotiating obstacles or lengthened to
maximum length when on thin ice. A short length of bungee cord between two
karabiners works well as a shock absorber at the harness end of the trace.
ii) ‘Nansen’ type sledges. These are usually made of wood, the superstructure and loading
platform of the frame being mounted on runners which are now usually shod in high
density polyethylene. The whole is usually lashed together with cord and hide, or,