Rec Climbing cart

[Burrapeg]

Rec climbing sometimes involves a lengthy hike and when I was younger I did not mind a 40 pound pack on my back for a mile or two. But alas those days are in the past. Now, in my sixties, it is nice to arrive at a nice looking tree and still have lots of energy left for the climb. I tried a two-wheel affair briefly last year but some of the trails were quite narrow and not level sideways. I cobbled this rig (photo) together out of the front fork and wheel of a junked mountain bike, along with the handlebars and three baskets from a crafts shop. The large wheel allows it to handle rougher ground and also makes it easier to push along. The side baskets are mounted low to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible for ease of handling. I put a locking brake handle on the brakes, of the type used on baby strollers, so the wheel can be locked and the whole thing leaned against a tree to park it. So far it seems to answer the need. I have had 50 pounds or so on it several times, including a 200 ft rope and my power ascender, along with the other usual accoutrements and lunch, everything bungeed on and the heavier stuff in the lower baskets. It takes little effort to push it along, wheel barrow fashion. I admit I have gotten some strange looks from other hikers. One child asked his parents, 'what's wrong with the poor man?'. I reckon the child assumed it was some sort of handicap assist. Well, I suppose he was right to some extent!

 

[GregManning]

Good post.

I also have several very large gear pack-packs, which may never come out of the basement again.

I have a couple different sizes of Jet Sleds. I added a 2 ft section of plastic pipe to the rope handle (s) to aid in two-handle pulling behind me (big improvement). They are fine for relatively short distances. They do however have a surprising amount of friction. I've use them for hauling gear, fire wood, lawn debris, etc.

I also have a ECLKA Beach Rolly. It's advertised as both a gear hauler, and a seat.
Several problems ................ with it & me.
At nearly 70, getting up out of the sitting position is not as easy as it might have been years ago.
It has inner tubes for the tires, since the wheels are plastic. My tubes have failed several times.
I've seen other folks w/ the same problem.
Hauling a very heavy load, a long distance, w/ a flat tire does not seem like fun !

 

[WaitakKauri]

Great setup. I get what you mean about distances though I don't have to go too far.
However, I like to move quickly so I've ridden my mtn bike a few times. I smiled at the pic once I scrolled down enough, it's liked you have a mini mtn bike with you.

I can see how your rig would work really well and be super maneuverable.

 

[ATH]

Looks neat....but I'm not convinced it is easier than a well-fitted backpacking pack.

 

[Burrapeg]

. . . I can see how your rig would work really well and be super maneuverable.

Am happy with it so far. It works great on a trail that is sloped sideways or rocking that way back and forth, where I had a tipping problem with the two wheeler. Handles crossing holes, small roots, rocks, etc. as well. On smooth trail, I can even run or jog with it if I watch the steering closely. Where it is steep going uphill, I can pull it behind me.

 

[Burrapeg]

Looks neat....but I'm not convinced it is easier than a well-fitted backpacking pack.

I would have agreed with you twenty years ago!

 

[WaitakKauri]

Here's my 2-wheeled cart. Climbing harness and climb helmet in backpack.60m/180ft climb line on the back rack. Hook w 15m rep on the front. Throwline off the back of the seat.

 

[Burrapeg]

Here's my 2-wheeled cart. Climbing harness and climb helmet in backpack.60m/180ft climb line on the back rack. Hook w 15m rep on the front. Throwline off the back of the seat.

Neat! That will handle some narrow paths too. Maybe I should have kept the rear end of the bike I scrapped!

 

[CanadianStan]

Here's my 2-wheeled cart. Climbing harness and climb helmet in backpack.60m/180ft climb line on the back rack. Hook w 15m rep on the front. Throwline off the back of the seat.

That is SWEET. i've considered converting my touring bike to a climbing bike ... except I'm trying to pack 500 ft of KM III ... that's wayyy heavier than I want to be climbing with

What diameter rope are you using for rec climbs ?

 

[WaitakKauri]

That is SWEET. i've considered converting my touring bike to a climbing bike ... except I'm trying to pack 500 ft of KM III ... that's wayyy heavier than I want to be climbing with

What diameter rope are you using for rec climbs ?

Using 11mm Yale kernmaster, or 11mm Samson Static. Both are quite light for a 'full sized' climb line.

You could split it, half front, half back of bike.

I'm using the Thule pack n pedal rack. Attaches securely front or rear.

 

[WaitakKauri]

Sweet bike! Looks like distributing the load is key.

Yes and I think that's something @Burrapeg has done a nice job with his cart. I can tell he's figured this out. From my own learning I can tell the cart can take quite a load and with the single wheel is super maneuverable.

A bike is nice too. It does take a little time to set up as I'm often just mountain biking and don't want all the racks on for that. With a cart, you're ready to go anytime.

 

[brydan]

For the price, the front half of an bike is pretty clever way to go. I like it! Hunters have devised a wide variety of different off road carts. This one is pretty spendy but a good video showing the versatility of the single wheeled design.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

What's old is new again

When I was in junior high, ca '67, my Dad and the weldor neighbor fabricated a deer hauling stretcher. Big fat tire with half inch conduit frame. Bike handle grips on both ends. We hunted in a national forest with a hiking trail for access. The stretcher was used to transport lunch and extra gear out and deer back!

Some really clever single wheel units

Be careful though. If you ever climb in a designated Wilderness Area you can't use them. No mechanized equipment allowed.

 

[Burrapeg]

Cool! Went to the PackWheel website and it looks like they have an electric drive version. Time for some more mods! Maybe a weedwhacker gas engine or adapt my DeWalt heavy duty cordless drill I already use on my power ascender. I might often be carrying the ascender and its drill anyway; might as well have the drill do double duty. Some power assist would be very nice on a steep uphill trail with 50 or 60 pounds of gear.

 

[ghostice]

I use a deer cart, sorta like this one:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ameristep-Premium-Portable-Aluminum-Deer-Game-Cart/28471660
Between aluminum or steel, I'd vote for aluminum due to weight.
Carries climbing gear, big shot, pole saws and top handle chainsaw all bungy'd up.
The single wheel jobbies with narrow tire is kinda hard to use on soft ground unless you have a wider tire (from bitter experience).
There's also stuff like these:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5059-625/Coho-XC-Trailer or bike trailers:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5041-117/Flatbed-Cargo-Trailer
but the cost to me is way outa line (although maybe not if someone can afford $8K for a mtn bike).
Echo the comment on being careful - in Alberta it's big fine time if they catch you with bike and trailer say on a trail that's not designated for them. Even pushing them! As for electric mtn bikes (and maybe other powered stuff), unlike Europe (Zermatt or Chammonix say) in Alberta its a mortal sin. Verboten. Our mtn parks are a highly regulated industry now, more so all the time. Enviro nazi's have won. Only sanctified permitted activities allowed.

 

[Barc Buster]

Years ago I contemplated rigging something like this up for running with my kiddos:




https://kidrunners.com

Leaves your hands free for other things like fending off muggers, rapists, or bears.

Those 3 wheele running strollers are a dime a dozen around here at garage sales. Wouldn't be too hard to convert. On the other hand it wouldn't be too hard to rig up a belt to @Burrapeg design either.

 

[surveyor]

There is a local bike that keeps running me over and over.
It's a vicious cycle.

 

[southsoundtree]

That's somewhat of a Chinese wheelbarrow design

http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2011/12/the-chinese-wheelbarrow.html

 

[Tom Dunlap]

@southsoundtree

wowwwwww!

Wheelbarrows with sails?!?!?!

Reg's cart is certainly a huge improvement over the two wheeler dolly. How could this big wheel be used for our work? I am just beginning to imagine!

Adding in the power of current battery technology and low geared transmissions I can see a new revolution. We work in well groomed yards compared to some of the paths and byways that the article showed in China. There's little need for high ground clearance setups. Make it clear a 36" gate and we're going.

This week I'm driving down to Dallas to celebrate my Mom's 90the B'day. I sure like have something to fill occupy me with Windshield Engineering projects!

 

[moss]

Love it Burrapeg!

This is from ages ago, was carrying gear for multiple people:

Off for a winter climb, rode to the trailhead then snowshoed in:

This one is still around, has gotten me to many a tree:

Carrying tons of gear for a group climb:

Best way to haul tree gear ;-)

In this case the gear hauler is a good platform to fire a big slingshot from, dual purpose gear always makes sense:

-AJ