This is a really good small pack for the backcountry snowboarder. I have this pack and a BIG mother burton focus camera pack to carry my SLR around for when I want to take bitchin photos in the backcountry. I didn't find the burton website particularly helpful with the features so I will try and fill in the gaps.

Firstly and obviously, yes you can fit a probe and shovel in the pack. The shovel handle attaches quite nicely and externally via two purpose clips. It doesn't really protrude outside your body frame, which I find important when i am smashing up those tree runs. The shovel blade goes inside the main compartment of the pack. I have a backcountry DTS Tour Shovel. Your probe will also have to go inside the main compartment of the pack (on the AK 23L you can have it on the outside). You can put a hydration pack in the main compartment (separated by some elastic mesh from the rest of the compartment). A hydration pack isn't included so if you want this, buy it seperately. The hydration tube feeds out a purpose built hole (quite well designed to keep snow out) and runs down the length of either shoulder strap as the clip to attach it to the strap is removable.

The board carry is vertical with two straps, if you are on a snowmobile regularly, get the AK 23L pack as it has a horizontal and vertical board carry.

It also has a small external pocket in on the back of the pack (basically under the large black patch) which is advertised as good for stashing your goggles when you are hiking, but is probably better for a compact camera and a balaclava and a beanie (that's what I keep in there), that way if you use the shovel (hopefully to build a kicker not dig your buddy out of a slide) you won't get your things you want to keep dry all wet. I have oakley crowbars and find they are too big to put in the "goggle" pocket when you have a board in the board carry (exactly the time you want to put your goggles in there!). They will fit, it's just that they stick out quite a bit. Better to hang them off your belt or the side of the board carry straps or something. There is also a zip-up mesh pocket inside the "goggle" pocket, which is probably useful for about four muesli bars.

For those days when you are using lifts to access the sidecountry, you won't need to take this off on a chairlift.

There are two adjustable loops on the bottom of the pack that could be useful for attaching collapsible ski stocks, although I haven't tried this. They are visible on the 2010 "radiator" coloured pack as the blue straps on the bottom.

If you think you need a little bit more space than this offers then get the AK 23L pack, as it's not a lot bulkier (a friend of mine has one, so I've compared mine to his).

It also has a stiff piece of flat plastic inside to help keep the shape of the pack.

Lastly, get it in a bright colour not the ubiquitous burton true black or stupid camo. If I am in trouble in the middle of nowhere I want to be as visible as possible (mine is the 2009 version and bright orange!).