DIY Pulk Sleds

When I winter camp I typically take more gear than I can haul on my back. This means that I have to tote it in 2 or more trips to my campsite. Pulk sleds are often used by arctic/antarctic travelers or the Ski Patrol.

Enter the Pulk sled. Rather than just using a rope to pull, Pulk sleds employ a rigid pole system that allows you to tow your gear without it hitting you when you go downhill.

Theoretically I should be able to get my gear to the campsite in only one trip.
Rather than purchasing a pricy, pre-made Pulk, do it yourself (DIY) and make one.

There are numerous considerations in designing your Pulk:

• Do you use a padded belt or just rope for a harness? 
• Should poles be configured in parallel, a triangle or crossed?
• How do you attach the poles to the sled?
• Should you have runners on your sled?

The best designs employ the KISS principle. To help with these design decisions, I've compiled a list of resources you could use:

• Boys' Life article "Making a backpacking sled"
• The Penultimate Pulk Sled blog
• Gear Reviews: Eds Wilderness Systems Ski Pulk 
• EWS Systems Pulk Booklet

Comment below if you come up with an awesome design or another online resource. Please don't hesitate to share your experiences with Pulka dancing.

Donuts

Ok, since some folks have asked (and Mr B even dropped a comment about it), here's the recipe:

In a gallon sized zip bag, mix
4 1/4 cups flour
4 Tbs sugar
3 Tbs dry milk
1 tsp salt
2 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 tsp mace

Then put the first bag into a second gallon sized bag (double-bagging keeps the dry ingredients from making too much of a mess).

About 1 hour before you're ready to cook the donuts, mix 1 1/4 cups water and 2 Tbs oil into the dry ingredients. Mix well. You can add up to 1/4 cup additional later if needed. The dough should be smooth, not sticky, and should be stretchy. Cover the dough and let it rise. You can leave it in the bags to rise or put it in a bowl.

Heat vegetable oil in a dutch oven. You need about 2 inches of oil to fry the donuts in. The oil is hot enough (350-400 deg) when a bit of dough dropped into it bubbles and floats.

Shape donuts (cut them, tear them, whatever works for you and your scouts), then fry them in the hot oil, turning occasionally. When they are golden brown, pull them out and let them drain/cool. Tossing them in cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar adds a nice touch.