Edited by Rachel Duncan 4th Edition ISBN 0-907649-91-2 London ...
Edited by Rachel Duncan 4th Edition ISBN 0-907649-91-2 London ...
Edited by Rachel Duncan 4th Edition ISBN 0-907649-91-2 London ...
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52 RGS-IBG Polar Expeditions Manual<br />
unusually, screwed and bolted. The sledge must be flexible. They can vary between 2 to<br />
3½m in length.<br />
The Nansen is longer than the longest pulk available and, having a larger loading<br />
platform, will be capable of carrying a heavier load than a pulk (see section on ground<br />
pressure). This means that more than one person will probably be needed to haul a<br />
Nansen, and they will conveniently, and for greater safety, be attached to the sledge <strong>by</strong><br />
ropes of differing lengths. Hauling in unison produces the most efficient results. With<br />
higher ground pressure, a Nansen will be harder to haul in soft condition but will always<br />
give a smoother ride.<br />
The load is often secured on a Nansen <strong>by</strong> a continuous lash-line. Bungies (elasticated<br />
cord with hooks) might be useful for top stowage of items for ready accessibility, which<br />
saves unlashing the whole sledge. However, bungies can freeze. The sledge can flex<br />
considerably when moving over uneven terrain. The lash-line may well become loose<br />
and require tightening a short time after starting.<br />
(iii) Plastic sledges. A £5 children’s play sledge is capable of carrying up to about 40kg. It<br />
can be attached to the waist belt of a fully laden rucksack. Plumbers’ plastic conduit can<br />
be slipped over cord to provide some rigidity. One of the most important things is to get<br />
the widest sledge possible but with some form of ‘runner’ to keep weight low and avoid<br />
the sledge turning over. A nylon (preferably waterproof) bag can either be integrated<br />
into the sledge or placed in to and secured <strong>by</strong> bungies. Professionally modified plastic<br />
sledges with increased rigidity and a good towing system are available in the UK from<br />
Snowsled.<br />
Two sledges can be towed one behind the other if bulk is a problem. One of the<br />
advantages of such a light, small sledge is that as loads decrease, the sledges can be nested<br />
(for more protection) or strapped on to the back of the rucksack. They are regularly used<br />
<strong>by</strong> mountaineers on big mountains and have been used in various forms on recent North<br />
Pole trips, e.g. Polar Bridge, Icewalk and Weber/Malakov Expeditions.<br />
For help whilst traversing, a metal keel plate can be fitted to the rear of pulks, for<br />
example those made <strong>by</strong> Mountain Smith of Golden, Colorado, and to Nansen runners.<br />
5.6.3 Comparison between plastic sledges, pulks and Nansens<br />
Capacity<br />
Hauling<br />
Safety<br />
(a) Personnel<br />
(b) Loads<br />
c) Ground<br />
pressure<br />
Plastic sledges Pulk Nansen<br />
Up to 40kg (1m<br />
length)<br />
One person per<br />
sledge<br />
Can rope up as an<br />
‘alpine’ pair<br />
Loads easily<br />
shared<br />
Up to 120kg (1.5–2m<br />
length)<br />
Usually one person per<br />
pulk<br />
Rope safety systems –<br />
difficult to devise and<br />
manage. Group can get<br />
split up<br />
Loads are easily shared,<br />
if one pulk lost, not all is<br />
lost<br />
Very low Low (in soft snow) High<br />
Up to 500kg (3.5m<br />
length)<br />
Probably requires<br />
several haulers and<br />
concerted effort<br />
Haulers on different<br />
lengths of rope to one<br />
sledge can be more<br />
secure<br />
Unless more than one<br />
sledge, all equipment<br />
could be lost at once
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