I just returned from Frostbite falls and the start of the Arrowhead Ultra. First, I must comment that I was totally in awe at the remarkable fortitude of this group of athletes who started off on a 135 mile unsupported trek through northern Minnesota with a start temperature of minus 20 F.

Each of the approximately 50 runners and skiers had a pulk with anywhere from 30-60 pounds to pull along their journey. I went to the event to deliver some supplies to some customers, but mostly to learn from these racers more about what they needed in a good pulk design. I also wanted to be more knowledgeable about racing systems when fielding calls from new racers. Our EWS pulk systems were designed for winter campers and ski mountaineering, but with so many using them for winter ultra races it seemed right to learn what they needed.

I was very pleased at the start of the race to see over half of the contestants had some components of our systems. There was one Weekender, one lightweight Snowclipper and about 20 Lakes systems with pole sets and harnesses. I also know of a few others who were using our harnesses with other self-engineered systems.

While I felt pleased to see so much support for our product line I learned so much more from the contestants as I visited with them during the check in and gear check process.

There may be a best way to do these races for bikers, but when it comes to sled systems there was no best way. Everyone had their own ideas of how to best prepare their sled for this event. These plans ranged from one guy who was using an EWS harness and pulk with a bungee rope and cord system (he rode the sled down hills) to veterans whose tiny loads fit on top of skis or even snowboards. 

Then there was even an experienced racer with his four-foot poly toboggan and our EWS poles. Rounding off the field there were kids sleds, one Beast sled, and even a white poly keg converted to a sled.

While I always believed in semi rigid poles - there were some contestants who like their poles so flexible they could go back to their pulk for gear without detaching.  Others preferred absolutely rigid metal poles. Much to my amazement, contestants told me that their ½ very flexible plastic pipe actually did not break in the extreme cold.

The EWS harness seemed popular with many. Yet even with this component there were different ideas. Some preferred just the lower harness while others liked the full harness. Some who used the full harness liked to leave the lower harness loose to minimize the push / pull effect. Most preferred the back attachments, yet a few liked the side loops and some switched between them.

I always thought that kid's plastic sleds were so thin they couldn’t possibly last for a 135-mile event. I have personally seen them break apart two hours into a winter camping weekend. Yet with light 25-35 pound loads and meticulous care - they apparently can last pretty long. There was one repeat Arrowhead winner who had a kid’s sled that has lasted 2,000 miles. Like I said- I learned a lot.

As I look forward to seeing if I can help future participants prepare for this race I have put together a better idea of what would make the perfect race pulk. Unfortunately I do not have the time right now to focus on it, nor do I think there are many who would pay the necessary price, but after watching their bravery - I really want to try.

While not the fastest sled out there....  it was very satisfying to hear from so many racers that our Lakes system was a durable and key component to them being able to finish the race.

Ed and Grant's ideas for fast but expensive Race Pulk-

1. Light sled body (Kevlar/ carbon fiber mix or simply cut away unnecessary plastic)

2. Fast UHMW poly runners or HPE

3. Raised runners getting the sled off the snow a bit to reduce friction

4. Lightweight zipper cover

5. Easy detach pole system to make getting back to pulk easier and faster

6. Some sort of spring material built into system to reduce push / pull

7. Lighter weight poles or 1 pole (the loads are lighter and do not require the 2  ½” poles that are necessary for backcountry use)