Excellent All-Around Shovel

By Jonathan S. Shefftz Ranked #2 - Avalanche Safety August 29, 2009

This is an excellent all-around shovel. The weight is reasonable for touring, especially given the large blade size and long telescoping shaft. To save a few ounces, you bring only part of the shaft so as to make the shovel into a fixed-length model.
The blade is relatively flat, which might be less efficient for moving snow, although it's great for snowpit work. (Pic is of me -- far right -- teaching an avy course, at which I coulda sworn I had brought this shovel, although I don't see it in the pic.)
I'm a bit surprised that BCA got rid of the D-grip in favor of a T-grip for a shovel this size. But if you always wear gloves (instead of mittens), then a T-grip is fine for many folks.

View Details: Backcountry Access Companion EXT Shovel

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