I just had a brain storm.

People who do long distance hikes on cross country skies or snow shoes often tow what looks like a kids' plastic tobbagan with thier gear on it. It would be easy enough to set it up so that the lines connect to quick release buckles on the pack straps, and use webbing rather than rope.

For those times where a sledge isn't the easiest, a two wheeled cart about the same size wouldn't be hard to make.

Think about it- you wrap your gear in a tarp or two, then lash it down to the sides of the carrier. Clip it to BOB's shoulder straps, so you can haul it hands free, ditch it if need to, and with a little bit of changing possition, let it go before you going down hill. I admit I'm a big boy, so could probably drag 60-80 pounds this way easily enough on flat ground, or 40-50 pounds on moderately hilly terrain WITH BOB on my back.

Down sides I see are that it gets a little complicated in tight terrain, and river crossings could be interesting.. But going through, say, rubble or rasberry canes, it should just "float" over the top, and if everything is lashed on right, you should be ok.

Has anyone worked with this idea in the winter (I haven't)? I have I found a way to double (triple) BOB's size managably? Or am I loosing my mind with the humidity?

Well, not for a BOB - but I've built a couple of pulks using plastic toboggans, PVC pipe, etc. I used duffel bags to hold the gear in them and lashed the duffels on with cord.

They've worked great for hauling in heavy tents, double sleeping bags, yummy food, and other winter camping treats. I've used it with both snowshoes and skis, and it's been fine for both. Last time was a few months ago for a spring haul part way up Lassen Peak in Northern California.

Anyway, I think they're great, and they're easy and cheap to make (though there are several commercial options out there if you'd rather spend the $$).

- Steve

Not to replace BOB, to use with BOB. I was figuring I'd clip the pulls to his shoulder straps.

I think Les Stroud used this technique in the show where he was in Canada during the winter. He took parts from the "crashed" airplane they airlifted to his survival location.

You've just rediscovered the TRAVOIS, which is french for TRAVOIS. Years ago I worked for a certain 'Big Box' home improvement center. We wound up one inventory with 18 wheelbarrow bodies that didn't fit the 17 replacement handles. I bought them for .25 each. A bit wide, but they worked! Our own military has a winter sled for pulling supplies.

"For those times where a sledge isn't the easiest, a two wheeled cart about the same size wouldn't be hard to make."

I've thought about something based on the size of a two-wheeled golf pullcart. I'm thinking at least 6"-8" wheels. It would have to be pretty sturdy to hold up over many miles though. Maybe something like this would work better.

In the summer, a well made garden cart or wagon will serve the smae purpose -- Or a bike with a trailer.*

TRO

(*the one I just looked at will carry 100 pounds.)

Just last week, I saw a guy riding a bicycle (funny how popular they've gotten recently), with a sturdy (non-collapsible) hand truck fastened to the seat post. He had quite a bit of "stuff" loaded on it, covered with a tarp. I would estimate that the angle was about 30 degrees above level. He was moving at a decent clip down the highway (not freeway).

I thought it was a great idea for the "use what you've got" transport scenario.

Sue

What kind of weight do you normally find is managable?

And thanks Chris- if I'd been post fully awake, I might have remember that my brainstorm was a fossilized one. I honestly couldn't remember the existance of the travois. Sleep deprivation sucks. :P

A pullcart based on a hand truck might be a good compromise between sturdiness and weight. It would certaintly be more rugged than a golf cart.