I fabbed a pulk up a couple of weeks ago out of a Paris Expedition sled and figured I had better get it out for a spin. Headed out to the Elkhorns for Casey Meadows and was hoping to bag Casey Peak while I was up there. I was going to bring a shelter, but decided to dig a snow trench instead.
The pulk pulled great. I added a harness to my old Dana Design lumbar pack to help pull the load, it’s made by Mountainsmith- they call them “strapettes”, w/ a little finagling I got it to work for the Dana.
Took about an hour or so to construct the snow trench- I used a combination of willows and fir for the roof frame, added a tarp and covered everything w/ snow. I used the sled as my door.
It was mid afternoon and pushing it a bit for a side trip to Casey Peak, so just hung out and soaked in the views. Built a small fire and ate a nice supper- life is good :)
When I hit the sack it was about 15-20 degrees, was expecting to drop another 10 or so. I was awoken around 5 am to a very strange sound, pitter-pattering on my sled- it was raining! I was fine in the shelter, but knew as soon it was light enough I better boogie. No hot cereal, no coffee/mocha, no little fire, no side trip to the peak :(
Despite the hasty departure, a really nice little outing.
