Steel edge or not to steel edge? And other pulk sled snow stuff

[Skijoring Grace Gale]

Something you might want to consider is inflatable snowshoes- .

This sounds brilliant! I'll have to get a pair. I can also possibly skin up, depends on snow conditions. My bigger fear is getting DOWN with the pulk on skis on the narrow narrow trail, and snowshoes would be a good choice then.

My pulk should be lighter than yours and we are autonomous for 17 days and eating quite well.

Hmm. I'm always staring at my pulk looking what to get rid of. All the weight just adds up so quick. Then I start to consider skimping on food, which also does not seem smart. Look, just now, you helped me add another "just in case" item of inflatable snowshoes.

The second half of the Iditarod trail in Alaska.

[randoskier]

I don't see how your base weight weighs 50lbs. It does not seem like much on your list and your tent is light

[satthepbienhoa]

Ive always ski'd with my dog Gale. I always used Åsnes Breidablikk, 180 waxless (nnnbc). I haul a pulk on rods with her pulling me (she doesn't have enough umpf to get the pulk uphills alone). The sled is about 50lbs of cold weather gear, plus food and fuel. So let's say the sled is 75 lbs (34kg) for 5 days out.

Asnes carries a whole lineup of metal edge pulk pulling long distance traversing skis: Ingstad , Nansen, Liv, Line, Amundson, Ousland. Polar explorers and mountain travelers seem to all use metal edge skis. I've always used non-metal edge skis. What am I giving up? Besides no metal edge danger for my dog, is there any advantage to no metal?
Durability has not been a factor for my Breidablikks, I've ridden them hard and long, they got so many rock, branch, and stump shots they should be replaced, but I keep eeking out miles.

A)EDGES: Im wondering what I lose without having metal edges?

B) WIDTH: Could skinnier skis be better suited for long distances? I've always liked the "all purpose" of my breidablikk ( 86-62-74). While there ARE hills, and occasional steep sections, there are also often flats. Steep hills and hills in general will be on narrow (snowmachine or dogsled) width trail, not open plateaus. My main goal is not to break me or my dog, while managing the pulk downhill.

Recently I did two training trips that I struggled with the skis.
1) a 30 mile day on hardpack windblown uneven "trail" , 0f
2) a 30 mile day on snow that fell at -18c/0f, still soft trail, it had been freshly"packed" but it was 12+" fresh, and still 2-3" packed, temperatures were -30f low to -10f highs during my ski.

Each day the ski feels dead. We go about 3mph slogging along on FLAT portions.

Would a metal edge help the incessant bouncing of the ski? ? (Yes, I did fall flat on my face when I put the ski pole down in-between my skis)
Would a different type of ski help improve my kick and glide in these conditions?

Of course, I never know the type of conditions, especially these days. The trip I'm training for is 90+ river miles, 90 mile forest portage, some (100?ish miles) sea-ice travel,.open tundra coastal travel (possible windblown and drifted snow), one larger mountain climb/descent, and low angle ascent, steep angle decent, which will be on narrow trail.

Tell me what you guys think! Am I giving myself undue suffering with the Breidablikks?

Grace and Gale-dog

Edit: I also wanted to explore the topic of length of skis when hauling a heavy pulk, more than "use a longer ski." But per how much weight in the pulk should I add length to my "recommended" length (which is 180) as I'm 59 kg/130lbs and 5'6/168

When deciding whether to use steel edges on a pulk sled or other snow equipment, it's important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Steel edges can greatly improve traction on icy or hard-packed snow, offering better grip and control, especially on challenging slopes. They are durable and can withstand rough terrain, making them a valuable feature for navigating difficult conditions. However, steel edges also add extra weight to the sled and can increase its cost, potentially requiring more maintenance. Additionally, in very soft snow, steel edges may not provide significant benefits and could dig into the snow too much. Other considerations for pulk sleds include using lightweight and durable materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or reinforced composites, as well as selecting the appropriate sled size and shape based on your specific needs and snow conditions.

[Musk Ox]

Ive always ski'd with my dog Gale. I always used Åsnes Breidablikk, 180 waxless (nnnbc). I haul a pulk on rods with her pulling me (she doesn't have enough umpf to get the pulk uphills alone). The sled is about 50lbs of cold weather gear, plus food and fuel. So let's say the sled is 75 lbs (34kg) for 5 days out.

Asnes carries a whole lineup of metal edge pulk pulling long distance traversing skis: Ingstad , Nansen, Liv, Line, Amundson, Ousland. Polar explorers and mountain travelers seem to all use metal edge skis. I've always used non-metal edge skis. What am I giving up? Besides no metal edge danger for my dog, is there any advantage to no metal?
Durability has not been a factor for my Breidablikks, I've ridden them hard and long, they got so many rock, branch, and stump shots they should be replaced, but I keep eeking out miles.

A)EDGES: Im wondering what I lose without having metal edges?

B) WIDTH: Could skinnier skis be better suited for long distances? I've always liked the "all purpose" of my breidablikk ( 86-62-74). While there ARE hills, and occasional steep sections, there are also often flats. Steep hills and hills in general will be on narrow (snowmachine or dogsled) width trail, not open plateaus. My main goal is not to break me or my dog, while managing the pulk downhill.

Recently I did two training trips that I struggled with the skis.
1) a 30 mile day on hardpack windblown uneven "trail" , 0f
2) a 30 mile day on snow that fell at -18c/0f, still soft trail, it had been freshly"packed" but it was 12+" fresh, and still 2-3" packed, temperatures were -30f low to -10f highs during my ski.

Each day the ski feels dead. We go about 3mph slogging along on FLAT portions.

Would a metal edge help the incessant bouncing of the ski? ? (Yes, I did fall flat on my face when I put the ski pole down in-between my skis)
Would a different type of ski help improve my kick and glide in these conditions?

Of course, I never know the type of conditions, especially these days. The trip I'm training for is 90+ river miles, 90 mile forest portage, some (100?ish miles) sea-ice travel,.open tundra coastal travel (possible windblown and drifted snow), one larger mountain climb/descent, and low angle ascent, steep angle decent, which will be on narrow trail.

Tell me what you guys think! Am I giving myself undue suffering with the Breidablikks?

Grace and Gale-dog

Edit: I also wanted to explore the topic of length of skis when hauling a heavy pulk, more than "use a longer ski." But per how much weight in the pulk should I add length to my "recommended" length (which is 180) as I'm 59 kg/130lbs and 5'6/168

When deciding whether to use steel edges on a pulk sled or other snow equipment, it's important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Steel edges can greatly improve traction on icy or hard-packed snow, offering better grip and control, especially on challenging slopes. They are durable and can withstand rough terrain, making them a valuable feature for navigating difficult conditions. However, steel edges also add extra weight to the sled and can increase its cost, potentially requiring more maintenance. Additionally, in very soft snow, steel edges may not provide significant benefits and could dig into the snow too much. Other considerations for pulk sleds include using lightweight and durable materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or reinforced composites, as well as selecting the appropriate sled size and shape based on your specific needs and snow conditions.

In conclusion, skiing with a pulk sled can be a rewarding past time in the winter!

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

[Stephen]

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Or include links to potentially undesirable external links in posts or profiles...
I'm pretty suspicious of the recent trend of new accounts posting AI generated content here.
Can't see any benefits, only downside, and not amusing.

[blitzskier]

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Or include links to potentially undesirable external links in posts or profiles...
I'm pretty suspicious of the recent trend of new accounts posting AI generated content here.
Can't see any benefits, only downside, and not amusing.

got any examples you can share?

[Stephen]

Recently:
http://eddie.dnsprive.com/~telemark/vie ... 649#p69550

.az = Azerbaijan
.ru = Russia

[Severianin]

Hi!

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this question. I have the Asnes Finnmark 54 and I love them. I've thought about buying another pair simply to have for when my current pair dies. I have the waxable Finnmark. I had the waxless version and wasn't crazy about them. I have hundreds of miles on my waxable Finnmarks primarily on dog mushing trails in Alaska.

Like you I've put them through the wringer skijoring with and without a pulk in all conditions. I am on the heavier side for the ski and I notice a huge difference in stiffness between my green Gammes and my Finnmarks. However, I only skijor with the Finnmarks because metal edges will cut your dog deeply. I just barely touched the Achilles tendon of my malamute with the tip of my ski and it cut her. I've seen friends run over their dog's paws with a metal edged Fischer 98 and cut them to the bone. Just don't do it. Even if you're a skilled skier it isn't worth it. After a season of skijoring with two huskies, I've only recently thought about a 3/4 metal edged Mountain Race for stopping power but I go back in my mind to the first incident.

Skiing with a heavy pulk is just a little bit faster than hiking. Sure you can get the Finnmark and they'll probably be faster skiing with dogs. But if you've got a pulk behind you and dogs in front of you it's probably going to be a wash. For context I'm skijoring with a wild mismatch of a malamute (slow I know) and an Alaska husky from an Iditarod team.

I take my Gammes to the Arctic every spring for four days in the Brooks Range. I love these metal edged skis. Paired with the kicker skins they're amazing. My friend has the Børges and he loves them. I don't bring my dogs on this trip, though.

[fisheater]

^^^^^Great perspective, I do ski with my dog off leash with metal edges. Usually she is behind me or way in front of me. When she is close in front, the brakes are on. I would think the same would not be true skijorring.
Good food for thought, regardless of my interpretation.

[randoskier]

Skiing with a heavy pulk is just a little bit faster than hiking. Sure you can get the Finnmark and they'll probably be faster skiing with dogs. But if you've got a pulk behind you and dogs in front of you it's probably going to be a wash. For context I'm skijoring with a wild mismatch of a malamute (slow I know) and an Alaska husky from an Iditarod team.

Skiing with a pulk even a heavy one is quite a bit faster than hiking, particularly on a quasi-flat trip like she is planning (one meaningful ascent). Her pulk is quite a reasonable weight for that trip as well.