what do you carry on trips?

I'll bet you could get away with something smaller -- I just checked mine and they are 1/4". The skis make for a long lever on them, so i guess I wouldn't want to go too small. You can also trim off the extra length once you dial in your setup, to drop a bit more weight.

Regarding making the ski sled, I really like the idea, and went right out and collected the nuts, and bolts (1/4 in) when I was through the little sack of hardware seemed too heavy...

What is the total weight of the complete sled hardware kit?

What is the total weight of the complete sled hardware kit?

1/4" Bolts & wing-nuts -- 2.8 oz
20' 5mm Cord - 4.7 oz

I could definitely go with lighter cord -- I've got 5 mm now, which is overkill for this job. The other components (voile straps, poles, shovel, skis) I would carry anyway, so these are the only new pieces.

thanks I had to re-watch the video, but yeah the extra components are light enough.

Marcus, have you (or anyone here) tested this sled on snow?

The vid showed him post-holing with it at the end... I'm wondering how well this works with the puller using ski's/skins? ...looks like the poles being used to pull need to be longer? I'm also wondering... if the victim has to lay flat how that backpack works being dragged like that? and then the ski poles... I keep thinking the baskets could pop off the poles being used to pull, if I saw it correct, they are pulling with their baskets?

I could definitely go with lighter cord -- I've got 5 mm now, which is overkill for this job.

what if the victim was a pretty heavy guy would lighter cord hold up?

I'm curious how this sled works before I go drilling....

the downside to this sled is it would be ideal if the skis used were the victims in case post-holing is not practical.

I'm going to field test this early season on one of my first tours, to really dial it in. The ideal would be to have holes in tips and tails (or at least tails, since you could do an A-frame litter) of all the party members, so you didn't force someone into post-holing if they had to give up their skis. Probably 1/2 of my usual touring partners are set up like that, then we typically only bring one set of bolts/cord per group.

I think tweak the pulling/guiding setup will definitely require some fiddling. The cord I carry is a bit longer than necessary right now because it makes a nice hauling connection to the tips, so you can tie it to your waist or pack or something... That way the poles are more for guidance and control.

I'm going to field test this early season on one of my first tours, to really dial it in. 

would love to see a gear review post on this... (hint)

The ideal would be to have holes in tips and tails (or at least tails, since you could do an A-frame litter) of all the party members, so you didn't force someone into post-holing if they had to give up their skis.

I don't know if any of my usual suspects would be up for drilling holes in their skis but this is a good idea anyways. I would if I knew this setup works well, and it would be easier to sell them on it. I don't see any harm in ski life/performance from a hole in the tail (mine already has one at the tip). From the looks of the video this sled should work at least enough to move a victim out of a runout zone.