Avalanche shovel - your experiences
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| šerpa8. 12. 2010 21:02:12 |
Unfortunately, it's lost; thank God it was never really tested in an avalanche. When buying a new one, it puts me in a dilemma about what to buy. From the results of various tests, you quickly realize that most of these shovels are only suitable for children's play in the sandbox. Optically attractive products that mostly fail in practice. Unfortunately, our specialized mountaineering equipment stores are full of them. The only products that got positive ratings in tests are actually of American and Canadian origin, very hard to get here. And since I don't want to carry a shovel just to show that I have it but so that it serves its purpose if I need it, I'm asking for your opinions and experiences with shovels.
Here are some links to the mentioned tests:
Test1
Test2
 1
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| JusAvgustin8. 12. 2010 21:15:33 |
I have the Ortovox Professional Alu II myself: link http://www.ortovox.com/shovel/professional-alu-ii-1. I can say I'm very satisfied with it, both regarding functionality, weight and handling... otherwise more and more manufacturers offer avalanche kits shovel+transceiver+probe. These kits are quite decent and the price is relatively low (for all three things). What purpose does an avalanche shovel have in your opinion? With mine you can nicely do a snowpack stability test, also snow pit and much more... It hasn't dug out anyone buried under avalanche yet and I hope it won't. Lexan shovels are also very durable and DON'T break. If you want Mother of all avalanche shovels then buy Grizzly! But from my own experiences I tell you it has a big flaw! Lpp!
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| viharnik8. 12. 2010 21:41:14 |
I think most avalanches release in dry snow, in spring also wet. There are many shovels on the market, but not all fit well in hands initially (curved and too short shovel handles). The essence of the shovel is to provide normal digging-throwing snow and not some grabbing in L shape of shovel blade. The bigger the "handle" of the shovel, the less force needed for digging snow-greater torque. Same e.g. with wrench size for tightening nut. With very hard snow-ice even metal shovel won't help much, because work to dig out victim with such tool is too much. Time for dig is less than half an hour, including searching for the buried. Still quite suitable shovel is Lexan, light and not expensive and effective. Also on some foreign GRS videos I saw they normally search for victim in avalanche. If going among Eskimos then metal shovel of course more suitable.
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| turbo9. 12. 2010 05:48:43 |
Remember comrades?!
Those who had to serve military in former country, we know what "ašovčić" is?! 
Not that I'd suggest it, but it could handle hell and half if you maintained it well. Size and weight  ah, minor thing 
More seriously: I have Ortovox (lexan), satisfied and hope I never need it for what it's meant for 
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| šerpa9. 12. 2010 06:17:06 |
I based my thinking on results of foreign tests including the often praised OEAV on this forum, because I have no own experiences except some snowpack stability tests. If results of such institution show poor state, then at least reason for good rethink in my opinion. Even among ordinary snow shovels for clearing yard there are big differences (with those I have some experience ).
Solido - I "am not" of opinion but posed question what is your opinion - I will form mine also based on your experiences. Water is always warm for someone, always cold for another.
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