I received this avalanche shovel and probe set as a Christmas present from my wife this year and I can’t wait to get out and see how well it works. Good avy gear in the backcountry is a must (so I have been told!) and this is a good start in my opinion. It appears to be a pretty well constructed shovel. It has a 270 cm. probe stashed in the handle. The handle is a modified T-shape with an ice-pick on one end and a compass on the other. The ice-pick end does have a metal tip, but the rest of the handle is rubberized. I’m not sure yet how flexible it will remain in sustained cold temperatures. The compass is a very inexpensive design and appears to be inaccurate. It appears to have been an afterthought in the design. I’ll post more on this tool as I use it.
Interesting blog, as I’m always looking for useful gear. I use a BCA avy shovel with the probe in the handle. These two backcountry items are great to have in one piece. It is great to have more than one compass, could be a problem if you use the wrong end to break ice or snow with it in a shovel handle…
MJ Hall
January 12th, 2008
Thanks for the post MJ. When I get back, I’ll take a closer look at your blog. Hope you had a good time in the Bridger Bowl area - my sister lives in that part of Montana and we grew up driving past the Crazy Mountains all the time.
Rob
January 25th, 2008