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Avy Shovel?

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FigNewton
Posts: 2455 - Karma: 5,745
I am looking to get a collapsable shovel that will fit in my backpack. Its main use will be to build backcountry booters.

Any recommenddations?


Nov 10 2012 11:06AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
If it's just for kickers get something with a big blade long handle and D-grip. Don't worry about the weight. Voile Telepros are pretty sweet in that respect.
Nov 10 2012 11:36AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2230 - Karma: 2,883
Those new K2 shovels look great
Nov 10 2012 12:38PM
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Jamartini
Posts: 408 - Karma: 1,663
http://
Nov 10 2012 1:48PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
BCA B-52 also. It's huge.
Nov 10 2012 1:50PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
x2 on BCA. Their shovels are quite large and would work nicely if weight is not a factor.

I have the Mammut Alugator Light but that's a smaller shovel and definitely geared more towards saving weight than booter construction.
Nov 10 2012 2:36PM
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Ali_Dibden
Posts: 1966 - Karma: 1,688
Check out dutch army shovels, they are foldable and so fit really snugly into backpacks.
Nov 10 2012 2:49PM
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FigNewton
Posts: 2455 - Karma: 5,745
Would it still fit well in my pack?
Nov 10 2012 2:53PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Should fit in a 20-40L pack. I used a BCA shovel on a couple day trips for my AIARE I course and it fit into my Dakine Blade (40L) pack. You can always find either dimensions online or go to a local store that has them (if there's a BCA dealer nearby). I'll check the UVM Outing Club shovel collection next time I'm at work and report back if you still haven't found an answer.
Nov 10 2012 7:34PM
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Spacekroft
Posts: 1332 - Karma: 41
I have the black diamond transfer 7 its great for jump building and digging pits
Nov 10 2012 10:13PM
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SickJib_Brit
Posts: 824 - Karma: 151
Don't mean to threadjack but after watching the K2 avy shovel video posted above, I am curious to know what a deadman anchor is?
Nov 11 2012 2:50PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

I love my G3 D-handle AviTech. Shifts some snow when it needs to.

Just a tip, never use your shovel to compact the jump (unless you're just pressing on the blade)... if you whack the snow with it you'll f*ck all the joints up really fast. If you wanna whack stuff with it you need a fixed blade.

Nov 11 2012 7:29PM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2179 - Karma: 1,333
Grain shovel http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2/OutdoorLiving/SnowRemoval/SnowShovels/PRD~0596918P/Troy-Bilt+Aluminum+Snow+Scoop.jsp?locale=en
Nov 12 2012 12:34AM
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thegouda
Posts: 196 - Karma: 57
BCA Chugach pro.  its huge and awesome
Nov 12 2012 1:32AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2230 - Karma: 2,883
A deadman anchor is a technique where you dig a pit in a T shape. The long part of the T is for a sling rope (?? dont know the english term) en it is attached to in this case the shovel blade. I know it from climbing and glacier rescue technques, where you will dig in an ice axe. Guess you could also dig a pit thats wide enough for a ski?
But the Long part of the T faces in the fall line, attache a rope and other gear to do this:
Click for larger image
Nov 12 2012 5:51AM
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zbphoto
Posts: 7789 - Karma: 12,037
Threads
Nov 12 2012 9:51AM
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SickJib_Brit
Posts: 824 - Karma: 151
Ohh okay, so it's an anchoring point to use for repelling down a face
Nov 12 2012 11:13PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
Threads for cool shovel technology. I don't even ski the BC, but for some reason, I find all of the gear fascinating....
Nov 12 2012 11:51PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,270
get a metal blade and don't get one that has an integrated probe in the handle
Nov 13 2012 9:08AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
in my shop we carry like 5 or 6 different shovels and just handling/feeling them the k2 is so much more robust than the others !

hell, i think if i'd drive my car over it that i'd break my car and not the shovel ....

i think i know what i'm asking santa ....
Nov 13 2012 10:55AM
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DERS.
Posts: 6299 - Karma: 1,293
you must get a shovel with an extendable handle. the extra leverage/torque will be crucial and save a bunch of time and effort when you actually need to dig somebody out of the snow.
Nov 13 2012 11:42AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,270
the proper way to dig someone out is a few meters down slope from where the person is buried, so all you're doing is throwing snow downhill and you really don't need a long handle, in fact short handles can be more effective in moving snow faster. when digging someone out there should never be digging motions, instead you get at them from the side, get their airway clear, and then roll them out
Nov 13 2012 2:13PM
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DERS.
Posts: 6299 - Karma: 1,293
i am aware of this.. i know how you are supposed to dig someone out. still with a longer handle, you can throw more snow out per shovel because the longer handle balances out the heavier weight of the more snow you can take.


sounds logical in my head. not so sure i translated it into words well enough.
Nov 13 2012 3:31PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
except that not all avvy victims are buried up a slope, it also happens that you get dragged down to flat and the debris field has only a small incline.....
Nov 13 2012 5:25PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
Nothing beats the Chinese Militairy shovel.


Nov 13 2012 5:43PM
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GregTHESKIER
Posts: 219 - Karma: 28
any shovel made by black diamond
Nov 13 2012 5:47PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,270
yeah unfortunately when that's the case the person is likely to be in a very bad situation. that's when it helps to have 3 guys taking turns shoveling
Nov 13 2012 7:37PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
"The shovel that tops all others when it comes to maiming people! Now available at your local home and garden centre!"

Aha jokes aside, I carry an old surplus military shovel in my blazer that's similar to this, and its super useful. The hoe feature that this shovel, my shovel, and that k2 shovel has should be standard on every shovel...
Nov 13 2012 8:26PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
I would suggest not getting a military surplus shovel for the task OP wants it for because they are heavier and designed primarily for dirt, not snow.
Nov 13 2012 9:43PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
Oh yeah, by no means should you ever use a military surplus shovel for skiing. They are super heavy, and aren't good for moving snow.
Nov 13 2012 10:09PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
They are sweet though. I have one in my truck in the recovery kit.
Nov 13 2012 10:18PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
Got to see, use, feel, and check out the Backcountry Rescue Plus (I think is what it's called) tonight while working on a massive yard setup. Sick shovel forsure and well worth the $90 IMO. Very robust, the dual scallops cut and chop like a dream, and the hoe mode is realllly useful for smashing up big snow blocks to form lips. As far as a jib and jump building shovel goes it would be a 9.5/10 compared to other shovels one might use for jib building. The shovel itself could be slightly deeper to flail more lose snow.
Nov 17 2012 1:31AM
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jon@wh2o
Posts: 314 - Karma: 158
I've been using my k2 shovel happilly all year. The hoe function is just amazing and. Essential for treewells. Not sloppy connections like bcA shovels I've used(i don't reccomend bca for shovels. As far as bd shovels go, the curve makes it hard to chop blocks which makes for long ass booter building sessions

And as far as shoveling methods go, the v style is where its at. If you don't know what it is figure it out before you next go in the bc
Nov 17 2012 9:41PM
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