Sunfish Pond - dont let a boy do a man's job

[wrybosome]

Can't you guys just drive in to to the upper reservoir and hike about a mile in from yards creek rd? It's a short bushwhack to the AT, then a half mile stroll. I thought the reservoir was accessible. I've done it in reverse anyway.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

Post 13 - Yard Creek is on Homeland security list - guard shack and no trespassing

 

[wrybosome]

Ah, ok. Like I said, I've only done it from the AT to the reservoir. Hopefully that didn't add to my fbi file...

The stretch of the AT a few miles NE of sunfish pond is beautiful ridge camping btw.

I've seen a few print references to a depth of 600' too, which is absurd. I'd bet maybe 40' max but I couldn't find any reliable sources on this. Anyway, I look forward to the trip report.

 

[lowviz]

Ah, ok. Like I said, I've only done it from the AT to the reservoir. Hopefully that didn't add to my fbi file...

Don't sweat it, they are supposed to be on our side.

The stretch of the AT a few miles NE of sunfish pond is beautiful ridge camping btw.

Indeed.

I've seen a few print references to a depth of 600' too, which is absurd. I'd bet maybe 40' max but I couldn't find any reliable sources on this.

Agree. I was considering a mapping expedition but the cost of a folding kayak is prohibitive. I'm still guessing that max is 60' and the paper got it wrong. I'd be surprised at 60' as a max, just sounds over the top.

Anyway, I look forward to the trip report.

Me too.

Hardware update: Forget sprag bearings, too expensive. Now on this: McMaster-Carr (scroll down to the one-way bearings) but they have a crappy radial load rating. We press on...

 

[KDAD]

Hardware update: Forget sprag bearings, too expensive. Now on this: McMaster-Carr (scroll down to the one-way bearings) but they have a crappy radial load rating. We press on...

One-way bearings!? Does that mean that we can only get our gear up to the pond but not back down

. I can't part with my beloved dive gear - I just bought it all.

Are you thinking about replacing the bearings in the Marathon wheels with the locking type? Is there two sets per wheel? Can you replace only one set on each wheel so that it has the braking and radial load? Would that work? One as the one-way locking bearing and the other steel needle bearing as the radial load (from McMaster: These bearings do not support radial (perpendicular to the shaft) loads. If radial loads are present, use these bearings with Steel Needle-Roller Bearings).

I will kick around some alternated braking ideas.

 

[lowviz]

One-way bearings!? Does that mean that we can only get our gear up to the pond but not back down

. I can't part with my beloved dive gear - I just bought it all.

We plan to turn around at the top.

I guess that two sets of bearings can't be used - one as the one-way locking bearing and the other steel needle bearing as the radial load (from McMaster: These bearings do not support radial (perpendicular to the shaft) loads. If radial loads are present, use these bearings with Steel Needle-Roller Bearings). Why can't the regular steel needle bearings be used?

Damn, you are right on it. Yes, there are two sets of bearings in each wheel (2 cm ID and 3.5 cm OD.) I was actually thinking the same. I just can't figure if one anti-reverse and one high-load bearing will pull it off. What I do know is that whoever is pulling the rig will need the relief supplied by it not constantly pulling you back down the hill.

 

[KDAD]

Diving requires a buddy, doesn't it? Can the carrier be set up so that two sherpas can operate together, either both pulling in tandem or one in front doing the primary work and one in the back to provide some relief or a push over obstacles.

I can contribute a climbing harness that the rails can be attached to giving the Sherpa hands-free operation. This is not the exact model but you get the idea: SALE - DBI-SALA ExoFit NEX 5-Point Wind Energy Harness 1113212 - $351.00 - - TowerClimbing.com

Just don't trip...

 

[wrybosome]

I have a pulling harness for my dog...puts a new spin on having her haul her own gear up the trail.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[lowviz]

Diving requires a buddy, doesn't it?

Yep. I wouldn't even consider diving Sunfish Pond unless I knew my buddy was in the pond too. Somewhere...

Actually, anywhere is good enough for me.

Can the carrier be set up so that two sherpas can operate together, either both pulling in tandem or one in front doing the primary work and one in the back to provide some relief or a push over obstacles.

I agree that a push/pull approach to the ascent is probably the safest (and sherpas can rotate positions).

Just don't trip...

Yeah, back to the parking lot in reverse and in a big hurry.

I'm going totally minimalist, so the harness is just two slots in each side rail so a weight belt without the weights can be threaded through them. Always open to a better idea...

 

[lowviz]

Update:

I totally gave up on the two person cart approach, either gets too heavy or too flimsy. Heavy is a problem as the large wheels that I found earlier dig in too much. But the really big problem with weight is that you are constantly lifting the entire rig over rocks and uphill. It becomes exhausting.

Been modifying this: Cosco 800 lb. Aluminum Hand Truck-12181ABL1E - The Home Depot. It only weighs 7.8 pounds without the stock wheels.

My new approach is to get the lightest thing possible so that one person can handle it. Once proven, we could make another. That way, we could do meet-ups with our carts.