Pulk in California?

Temps will often be near or above freezing in the Cascades/Sierras, so any snow falling or kicked from skis or snowshoes will melt. If an open pulk is used — as with the Paris design — any snow or rain landing anywhere on the surface area of the sled will run off and collect. Gear will be immersed in water AND the pulk will collect the entirety of the runoff, becoming the opposite of light backpacking. Make one with a waterproof cover extending along the sides, and with a means of assuring the cover will not sag into water collecting pockets.

If you are traveling off roads on trails through big conifers in deep snow, the pits that form around each trunk will probably grab the sled more-often-than-desired, jerking the hauling person backward and sideways. (Depends on a few variable, but is common on most snowpack in wilderness areas in Douglas Fir country.) I assure you, upright recovery is less than assured. Getting the sled into a position to continue is much easier with someone on each end of the pulk. (Similar issue when crossing the blocks left by an avalanche.)

With speed a skier can cross a sidehill with a sled following (dependent on its tippiness); a snowshoer would likely have the pulk sliding sideways under the same conditions. (A pulk increases a skier’s fore-aft stability — very pleasant under some conditions; I’m not sure there is an equivalent when on snowshoes.) My experience involves straight poles, not crossed poles or ropes.

I suggest a relatively wide pulk for stability, since narrow pulks tip too easily.

With dry snow and open flat country or lakes or roads pulks are lovely to use, so pick your battles.

HTH

I (and most people in Alaska) start with the Expedition sled (as that kit does), but build out our own.  I use a $5 set of old ski pole, crossed to pull the sled.  Some I’ve keep up and tossed backpacks and duffel bags in it, secured with straps or lashing.   Others, I’ve attached a large skirt to the perimeter (just used better-than-a-blue tarp like the brown/silver sided ones.  Then, witht that 4-foot-deep collar, I place all the stuff inside, roll down the collar and secure it with straps.  That’s handy for keeping snow out from the gear.

Especially in CA, put a glide wax on the bottom of the sled/pulk.  Otherwise, you the base can ice up as you go from sunny thawed sections to colder places in the shade and then the going is much tougher.

Hey Sonny! If’n you’re gonna sometimes use yer pulk in the California steeps I’ rekymend that you attach one or two rectangular hinges on the back end so they partially fold when underway but instantly lock vertically into the snow when the pull begins to slide backward. It works very well and may save you a chase downhill after a runaway pulk. (Don’t ask.)