Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

I’ve never used a pulk, but I’m genuinely curious – in particular with regard to how you manage one when you are off the snow.

I have a preference for multi-day tours, and regardless of the touring region I’ve always depended on huts/farms for accommodation and food. The rucksack is heavy enough with standard equipment, emergency equipment including stove/fuel/pot to melt snow and one or two day’s emergency food rations. Carrying a winter tent and full camping equipment , as well as several day’s food, is out of the question due to the extra weight, so my tours are never autonomous. Some areas which interest me, such as Sarek in winter, have had to be written off due to the lack of tourist infrastructure. In such cases, a pulk could provide the necessary autonomy.

However, since the whole point of using a pulk is to carry considerably more than would be possible in a rucksack, I baulk at the thought of manhandling a 30 or 40kg load down the several stone steps to the bus stop, onto the train at the local station, through the main railway station, through the airport terminal – and then all that in reverse when I get to my destination. I know that there are some pulk designs which allow wheels to be fitted and then removed for travel on snow. Also, if you’re travelling in a group you can help one another, but what do you do if travelling alone? If you’re out on tour and encounter a long stretch of snow-free terrain how do you manage to get across it?

Looking forward to reading the comments of experienced pulkers, especially those who have taken them on solo tours.

So, my experience of trains in Sweden is that you cannot just load the pulk full and call it good. A couple smaller separate bags help to pack the contents safely in the train. This does make an argument for a paris pulk -style solution which in itself is somewhat easy to fit in the trains too. A rope pull is easier in this regard compared to bars as well.

I added runners to my paris pulk and it can be dragged on asphalt if needed and not do any noticeable damage. Use an uber/taxi where you can instead of buses. I have for example dragged the pulk through ferry terminals and railway stations. Yes you get some stares but nobody gives a damn otherwise.

But for the transport issues, and for the sake of faster skiing and more agility, I have put a lot of effort to lighten the load to fit everything in a backpack. And I think this is the best option for travelers on public transport.

For Sarek specifically, public transport is very hard. You'd have to fly to Kiruna and then get buses to Kvikkjokk via Jokkmokk, which are infrequent.
There is also an overnight train to Jokkmokk too. Frankly, the best bet is to rent a car and drive to kvikkjokk (maybe 4-5 hours) and then leave it at the car park there at the start of the trail. You'd probably want a night at an Airbnb either end too. It's not the cheapest way to do it, but I think it's worth every penny. I've even rented in Stockholm and driven up... its over 12 hours.

I travel there with my pulk in a pulk bag (plus ski bag one more for other supplies... the full Sarek loop is about 12 days so 15+kg of food and fuel needed) and do the final pulk packing in the hut.