Get a load off your back and enjoy the snow

How to pack and tow all your camping gear on a toboggan

When embarking on a multiday winter camping trip, get the pack off your back and onto a toboggan.

With the recent dump of snow coupled with mild weather, more outdoor enthusiasts are taking advantage of a last opportunity to camp among the snow and trees before winter abates. If you want to do it in comfort and for an entire weekend, haul your luxury with you wherever you go.

Note that as there are many steeds from which to choose for this task — toboggans, ski pulks and sleds — for this article we’ll just focus on camping with a traditional toboggan.

THE PAST

Canadian fur traders and First Nations peoples before them had to adapt to winter by moving with the herds in order to enjoy a steady supply of food and clothing. Our ancestors quickly learned the benefits of hauling their necessities behind them instead of on their backs. Of the many advantages, towing their load allowed them to be mobile and balanced when snowshoeing (and later Nordic skiing) through the deep snow.

Even today, families enjoying a multi-day winter camping excursion bring their toboggan to tow supplies or provide a needed rest for the wee ones. But knowing how to prepare and transport one will dictate whether it’s your friend or foe.

THE TASK

Winter camping may require bringing substantial gear, depending on how many people are going and how many days you plan to be in the woods. Be forewarned, it’s not easy. You’ll most certainly struggle not to get too sweaty or soaked hauling the load, because it may include several days of food, a tent, sleeping bag, pack, grill, ski and snowshoe gear, a camera, clothing, and potentially even fishing gear. But if you’re bound and determined to get outdoors and enjoy the pristine snow and peacefulness of Mother Nature, here’s how to prepare your toboggan so it supports you on the journey.

THE TOBOGGAN

First off, wooden toboggans are the traditional sled and a fine choice when hauling a packed load across the snow. But they do require more maintenance than the more popular plastic models. Traditionally made of hardwood white birch planks, wooden toboggans need greater care to protect them from damage and to prepare them to glide easily. You have to thoroughly add a glide-wax of many layers or else your load will be unbearable to haul. Worse still is when the weather warms above freezing: The snow sticks to the sled, bringing you to a near dead stop. Enter the plastic toboggan, the more popular choice for its durability and super sliding characteristics.

In either case, tying your load remains the same. Begin with a long toboggan that will allow you to spread the load over its length, keeping your load low in height. You’ll also have to find the balance between a narrow or wider toboggan. Narrower means it’s easier to pull as it’ll fit in your packed tracks, but may easily and frequently tip. The wider toboggan is more stable but harder to pull, and may also tip into the path behind you.

THE TIE-DOWN STEPS

❚ Have ready a tarp or ground sheet, a rope and about five smooth 25cm long sticks.

❚ Tie the rope firmly to the bottom crosspiece at the front of the toboggan and weave toward the rear.

❚ Keep the rope loose and slide back and forth under the side ropes but over the cross pieces (diagram).

❚ Ensure it is loose enough that it lies on the ground on either side of the toboggan.

❚ Load gear onto the toboggan, ensuring heavier items are at the front of the toboggan and bottom of the load.

❚ Keep the entire load low to the ground and cover with plastic sheet.

❚ Tuck in the sheet at both ends and sides.

❚ Beginning at the front end of your toboggan, overlap the ropes on top of your load.

❚ Place one of the smooth sticks between the ropes and tighten, pulling on the next set of ropes to take up the slack (similar to tying your shoes).

❚ Repeat until all ropes are snugly secured with the sticks.

❚ Loop the end of the rope through the rear of the toboggan and fasten it to the last rope.

❚ Alternatively, you can use bungee cords to strap everything down. For best results, purchase six to eight short bungee cords for the sides, and two long bungees to position lengthwise

❚ Once your sled is packed, secure items such as axes, shovels, skis and snowshoes on top.

When towing you can use a rope or pole attached to the toboggan. A rope should be tied to the second crosspiece of the toboggan for better stability. Ropes are great except when going down hill, as it will allow the toboggan to hit your heels. In this case have another rope on the back and have your partner harness it.

If you choose to use aluminum poles instead of tow ropes, it’s heavier and they may allow the weight of the toboggan to push you down the hill.

Do your research on the Internet for options on strapping a harness to your body to maximize use with a minimum of effort.

Winter camping with a toboggan to haul your necessities is a lot of fun. Try it out around the neighbourhood first before heading into the wilderness.