avalanche gear

[brian h]

you see posts about beacons, and avi bags, but i had a talk with rep from avalanche canada and he says alot of shovels should never be packed in the backcountry. your shovel should be strong enough to dig thru a grader bank, wide enough to use your foot to drive the shovel into the snow, he recomends ones with exteneded handles for length, gives leaverage and the d handle. he says that most shovels will not dig thru a avalanche and also when you hear people say they want to put a shovel on there tunnel for stucks and only want a cheap one there for they have a good shovel in there pack is the wrong thought process, most guys will grab there easiest shovel in a emergency so even one on your sled should be a good one. the plastic ones he says will never last in avi debri so dont pack those. maybe people should test there shovel by digging into a grader bank and see if it stands up. a shovel is just as important in a avi as a beacon and probe. your riding partners should have the right gear and know how to use it, he also said that when people start riding with a new riding partner that you should look at his gear to see if he is prepared with equipment in case of a avi. reading avi reports and practise with your equipment is a important tool. he said that there is alot of people who actually pack beacons who dont know how to use them. or have electronics on right beside there beacon. how many people are comfortable that all there safety gear is gear that is good and know how to use and feel there riding partners are also prepared

 

[Ballzdeep]

got me second guessing my shovels chit throwing abilities.. What brand did he recommend?

 

[snowcannon]

I did a lot of research before buying my shovel back in 2013. Back then there were no fancy features like the BCA Dozer. I went with a voile shovel. T6061 grade aluminum. Not as light as some of the cheap shovels, but super strong and sturdy. I could probably bludgeon a moose to death with it...

 

[moyiesledhead]

I could probably bludgeon a moose to death with it...

You may be under estimating the determination of the Moose.

 

[Tchetek]

got me second guessing my shovels chit throwing abilities.. What brand did he recommend?

This is the shovel to buy, And not from the granola munching hippies at MEC.

https://www.voile.com/voile-telepro-avalanche-shovel.html

 

[DeNytroguy]

I have a Orthovox kodiak 3.1, also has the hoe function which I find awsome... makes digging much easier and I find that's how I mainly use it.

 

[brian h]

got me second guessing my shovels chit throwing abilities.. What brand did he recommend?

he would not give any specific brand, just things to watch for and how to test. he did say the dozer shovel is only good for last man in the digging process, wont do any good when first or 2nd digger. so leave shovels where they are if you are rotating when digging for a buried person. he did drop a little hint at bca

 

[Tchetek]

Shovel musts have features:

-Strong

-long as possible.

-d handle.

-only buy a round shaft so you can twist it apart when it’s frozen.

-shaft plugged at bottom so it doesn’t fill with snow and jam the release buttons.

The shovel above checks all those boxes!

Go out and use yours for a serious dig, then ask your back how it feels about your shovel!

 

[maxwell]

Shovel musts have features:

-Strong

-long as possible.

-d handle.

-only buy a round shaft so you can twist it apart when it’s frozen.

-shaft plugged at bottom so it doesn’t fill with snow and jam the release buttons.

The shovel above checks all those boxes!

Go out and use yours for a serious dig, then ask your back how it feels about your shovel!

i disagree with the round shaft i find the oval shaft of the ortovox shovels to be far more rigid. But you are correct you need to do more checking to ensure it is not frozen. i try and dry mine out every evening but if it does freeze a quick smack on the sled and it breaks free.

alot of people think their shovels are fine. i always show them the quick step test. throw the shovel on the floor and stand on it with one foot. if it doesnt break its an OK shovel, if it doesnt even flex its a great shovel.

 

[RXN]

This is the shovel to buy, And not from the granola munching hippies at MEC.


//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190219/bf31b8c1d64840e82693599f4e6fce57.jpghttps://www.voile.com/voile-telepro-avalanche-shovel.html

Yes. 100% agree. Of all 9 shovels I have, I prefer this one best. It is the one I keep in my pack. If I find a tunnel bag I like that fits this. I'll buy a second one.
I bought mine through Zacs.

 

[cattechsummitrider]

i disagree with the round shaft i find the oval shaft of the ortovox shovels to be far more rigid. But you are correct you need to do more checking to ensure it is not frozen. i try and dry mine out every evening but if it does freeze a quick smack on the sled and it breaks free.

alot of people think their shovels are fine. i always show them the quick step test. throw the shovel on the floor and stand on it with one foot. if it doesnt break its an OK shovel, if it doesnt even flex its a great shovel.

Do that to my shovels too, It is a simple way to check

Lori at Zacs trax would put the shovel face down on the floor and jump on it ( where the handle and the shovel join ) and if it bent she said they wouldn't last. It sure made a few eyes pop when she did it ti the cheap Costco that some of her students brought

I wouldn't try it with me jumping on the shovel It would have to be made out of solid steel!!



I also spray a dry graphite lube on the shovel shaft and where it joins up to the shovel head so that they never freeze together, It takes a long time to wear off and doesn't come off on your gloves, Reapply it every year.

 

[Battle Rat]

Have the strength differences between oval and round been tested?

 

[RXN]

Have the strength differences between oval and round been tested?

I prefer the round. Can twist them loose when they freeze up.

 

[ferniesnow]

Take apart and dry out the shovel and the probe every night after use. Sure you can bang the shovel handle on the running boards but it is a little harder to release a frozen pin. I use my shovel nearly every trip and even if I don't, I dry it out (my avy bag has the shovel, handle, probe on the outside) because there will always be snow covering the bag.

For those that never use a shovel for getting unstuck, come and ride with me before going of on a tangent and derailing the thread.

 

[HUNT 24/7]

Yes. 100% agree. Of all 9 shovels I have, I prefer this one best. It is the one I keep in my pack. If I find a tunnel bag I like that fits this. I'll buy a second one.
I bought mine through Zacs.

It will fit in a BCA Mountain Pro tunnel bag.

 

[lilduke]

After running an "avy bag" for over a decade now, im switching back to a regualar backpack.

I find an avy bag, bulkier and heavier than necessary

Ive never had to use the thing(thank god)
And i question how much good they do anyways.

Honestly wish i would have made the move 5 years ago...

 

[Cableguy]

starting to consider the same thing

 

[MP Kid]

After running an "avy bag" for over a decade now, im switching back to a regualar backpack.

I find an avy bag, bulkier and heavier than necessary

Ive never had to use the thing(thank god)
And i question how much good they do anyways.

Honestly wish i would have made the move 5 years ago...

To each their own….

Personally, I think you’re crazy

 

[lilduke]

starting to consider the same thing

Ya i know a few guys in Revy that have gone that way already.

Way lighter and more comfortable, easier to move around with and way less expensive also.

 

[Dragonalain]

Ya i know a few guys in Revy that have gone that way already.

Way lighter and more comfortable, easier to move around with and way less expensive also.

I picked up a new bca vest style pack. 1000 times easier on my shoulders compared to that stupid high mark vest I had. Last year buddy got trapped in a slide at the top of the Kirkup drainage right before the alpine. He wanted to pull his bag but the Handel was not there. Shoulder straps ripped out of the bag and was just hanging by his waist strap. I wi


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