Back Country Shovel

TheDetectives

TheDetectives

Member
Going out west a bunch this season, wonder what shovels ya'll use, or would recommend, money isn't an option, but something cheaper would be better
 
Buy one whit a metal blade, You will ser the difference. When My friend was burried under an avy my metal one was better then my friends plastic one. I really like the k2 that you can make a rescue board whit it, I'm gonna buy one this season because it can be really usefull
 
Metal is a must for avy shovels. I use a Black Diamond Deploy Shovel, its light, metal and its ready to use with the push of a pin. In a worst case scenario, you don't want to be messing around putting your shovel together, that's why I much prefer ones with a shaft that packs down.
 
I'm a fan of my K2 rescue shovel. fairly light and decently priced. I'll admit that I've used it more for digging out my car than anything else but it works well
 
Pretty small blades on BD's shovels though.

A big blade, long shaft and D grip is what you want for maximum ease of use. It's really one of those times where you should just just buy a good one right from the start and it'll last 10+ years with no need to "upgrade".

Voile Telepro, Mammut Allugator, Ortovox Kodiak, BCA B-52 all fit the bill but there are others. Check out weights if you care.

More importantly, practise deep digging every year!
 
Didnt want to make a new thread sooo....

Im looking for a collapsable shovel not for avy rescue but more for backcountry building. Anything you guys would recommend?
 
So you're going to have a avy shovel and a jump building shovel? Seems redundant. A shovel, probe and beacons are a must if your are hitting the bc at all.

Check out the larger shovels listed that are metal and have a hoe mode.

 
i could see why. maybe a larger bulkier shovel that takes longer to set up, but can move more snow at a time. and then a more portable one that you can get out quickly for avy stuff
 
You dont want to be digging throught that much stuff in your pack come emergency time. Unless you are a weight junkie on dynafits, ultralights and are about the speedy up, I wouldnt worry too much about having a bulky shovel. Remember, one large shovel is still way smaller/lighter than two smaller ones.
 
Im not going to be on the west coast/in any avy danger any time soon. I just want something to build jumps and jibs with that is light and easily packable.
 
I went to army surplus store and got a shovel from there like the ones they use for trenches. .though probably use my avy shovel more.
 
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