We got a fresh dump of snow last night, and the thermometer has been hovering around 0C, so we could finally get the wee one outside. It was the perfect day for sledding. I also wanted try out our new sled as a potential winter bug-out vehicle. I bundled up the kiddos, grabbed my day hike pack and sleds, and we went scouting for a good hill. The plan was to hike our favourite local BO trail, test out the hills, make a little camp, brew up some hot chocolate, and then head home. Sadly, our trail was obliterated by fallen trees and branches, so it was time for Plan B.






In a real bug-out, we'd go around, but we'd already been out for a couple of hours, and ... bacpacbaby needed a new diaper, bacpacboy got a little frost nip on his cheeks, and they were both starting to get cranky, so.... Rather than take the long detour, we stopped for a quick break, and then headed home. (Which a was all uphill. UGH!) No bushcraft, but they both had fun, and I sure got a good workout. bacpacbaby even did a little hiking on her own two feet.



The sled worked really well, especially combined with my trekking pole, for hauling bacpacbaby and my pack through about a foot of wet snow. (It was manageable with bacpacboy in there too.) bacpacboy brought his sled too, but found it pretty heavy for trekking. (It's heavy, but he also took the leash off, making it exponentially harder to pull. Carrying it over his head was even less successful.)




Side note for parents of little ones - the sled worked great as a vehicle for baby and gear. My pack worked great as a back support for her, but the sled was still slippery for her. (I also wedged my gloves between her hips and the sled, which seemed to help steady her.) She tended to tip over when we went up or down inclines, so my advice is to slow down and check them before and after those hills, and enlist a second personal to help stabilize the sled (and toddler) as you go over.




Thanks for looking!

Great post Bacpac. Nice to get the kids out on a winter day.

As for the sled problems, check out this Pulk Sled from Jason Klass. Be sure to watch the imbedded YT video on the page. Too bad his blog is all but abandoned as Jason had some great gear ideas and reviews.

I made a Pulk Sled based on his design and it works great. But with the utter lack of snow this year in the local mountains, it is in storage in the in-laws garage However, next time we get over that way, I will dig it out and take some pics. You can also Google for Pulk Sled ideas and you will find budget build designs up to several hundred dollar expedition designs.

Canadian Tire used to carry a better sled then the one you have and is what I based my Pulk Sled on. IIRC, it was $29.00 but I do not see it on their website but it may be in stores.

In the meantime, to prevent baby from sliding on the plastic, a small carpeted top with rubber bottom door mat to put in the bottom of the sled will help. A bit of creativity with a cheap fastex or cam lock webbing strap along with a drill and small bolts, nuts and washers to secure the webbing strap to the sides of the sled will also keep baby from sliding around. Think of it as a sled seat belt.

Finally, try waxing the bottom of the sled, even with a couple of applications of cheap Turtle wax will make a big difference in terms of less drag through the snow.

Speaking of sleds, last time I was in the PNW, I saw my old sled which as I recall was a Flexible Flyer. Great sled, now in my sister's garage and sometimes under my grandniece. Not a Pulk sled

Thanks Teslinhiker!

We haven't had a lot of snow this year either. Lots of a little at a time, but we've still only have maybe a foot. It's been too cold to for the little one to go sledding until yesterday.

The last time we winter camped was three winters ago and I made up my mind then and there that I was going to make a pulk sled before we went again. A rope leash works but isn't the most effective way to pull the sleigh.

I think the Can Tire sled you're talking about is the same one I was looking for when I got this one. They didn't have any then but maybe I'll have better luck now that Christmas is over.

This one's ok. It's got holes pre-drilled for cordage, but the sides aren't as deep.

Love the carpet idea! Someone else suggested putting in an actual babyseat, but I think the carpet and a strap will work just fine. A seat will make her sit even higher in the sleigh, and increase her tippyness.

Thanks again!

When you mentioned seat, I thought.of a folding seat at CT that may work for.you. On the CT website, search for Escort stadium seat pad. Part # 76-1599-0.

This, is a thin folding seat that will not increase the center of gravity and will help keep the daughter more upright.

I had one of those when I was a kid! Awesome sled!!

Thanks Teslin! I'll definitely check it out!! I want her to enjoy it out there, so keep the suggestions coming!

Glad to see someone continuing to get out even with a little one...I hate seeing people become "tied to the house" when they have babies, it seems to happen a lot but it doesn't have to be that way as you have shown. And she will grow up being comfortable outdoors and enjoying it, which is a great gift to give any child. As far as the sled goes, you could run the rope through two 5-6' lengths of PVC pipe or electrical conduit (1/2-3/4" diameter), attach two carabiners to the rope ends as close as possible to the pipe ends, and then pull it by attaching the carabiners to the hip belt of your pack. That will keep the sled from running into you on downhills. The stadium seat is probably a good idea to give her some support, if you can secure it in the sled.

PS: She's adorable! :-)

I totally agree! My son is ten, and an avid outdoorsman. I'm hoping that she's going to have a similar love of the outdoors - even in the winter. We don't get Alaskan winters, but we do get winter weather, every winter. Spring and Fall too. Conversely, we only get 4-6 weeks of true summer weather, so we'd best get to liking cold weather activities.

My son got frostbite on his cheeks when he was a toddler, so he gets frostnip just about every time he's out in the cold now, but he doesn't let that stop him. Thankfully, he loves his balaclavas!

He's going on a ski trip with his school next week, so this hike was a good chance to review 2 important concepts:

1. Winter clothing and layering. His outerwear rocks, but he chose to wear a cotton t-shirt under a cotton hoodie, with cotton long-johns under his ski pants. He was a bit chilled when we got home, so we talked about our active wear while we had some hot cocoa to warm up. Layers of synthetics or wool - he has them, but was just too excited to find them.

2. Hydration. Again, in the excitement of going sledding, he didn't bring his water bottle. I had lots of all of us, but he kept saying "Remember your H2O next time!" every time we'd take a water break.




Great ideas, Jolt. Thanks!!




Thanks! I couldn't resist sharing her first winter trek with my ETS family.

BacpacJac,

Jolt's idea is a great one, but put one of the poles on each side of the waist, not behind the back. I expect this is what Jolt meant, but when I first tried it years ago, I tried it with a single pole. It is a PAIN, literally. This way the poles won't poke you on the downhills and when you stop.

Respectfully,

Jerry

Yes, that is correct. Sorry for the incomplete explanation. Also, crossing the poles is recommended for better control.

Awesome post bpj, and nice pics too.

ugh, i've been spending too much time on facebook, i keep looking for the "like" button lol

LOL@Mark. Thank goodness I'm not the only one!

Here's a link to a little video. We were at our turn around point and I was winded. Definitely going to get on that pulk sled. Maybe snowshoes too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feVJh-XhDCU&feature=youtu.be

Awesome!!! Backpacbaby is walking already!!!!

bacpac..have a look at the sled that Kevin Callan is using over at his Happy Camper Youtube site.he was doing some hot tent camping up at the Kawartha Hightlands.
my Mom who grew up in Canada back in the 1920's would leave me outside in the baby buggy during the winter,lots of blankets of course.she felt you had to expose kids to the cold and fresh air!
maybe thats why i like to campout so much??

Bacpacjac,

Snowshoes are great things (one of my favorite times for woods loafing is deep snow) but they won't help in shallow snow. Until the snow is deep enough (varies with the wetness) they are more work than help. In dry snow in the Rockies 24 + inches. The snowshoes sink deeply in powder, particularly some of the smaller ones. When you posthole without them, the help is amazing.
In warm snows in wet regions it might only be 12 to 18 inches.

Respectfully,

Jerry

Scandinavian moms also put their babies outside like this for naps in the winter...same idea I think. Apparently the babies sleep better outside in the fresh air, and my Finnish friend says it is supposed to help reduce the risk of asthma/allergies.

Jolt..good to hear that is still going on someplace!