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Shovels for Backcountry Booters

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partyandBS
Posts: 5188 - Karma: 80,867
Yo! Just ordered a beacon and probe. Plan on slowly and safely getting out into the backcountry this year. My goal is to get comfortable with my safety gear and practice up and then in the spring build some booter. I feel like this has probably been discussed but i havent found a thread so lemme know your thoughts!

I'm currently between the

BCA B-2 EXT
https://backcountryaccess.com/en-us/p/b-2-ext-avalanche-shovel

And the

DMOS Strealth
https://dmoscollective.com/collections/shovels/products/the-stealth-shovel?gclid=CjwKCAiAlNf-BRB_EiwA2osbxdf_2b8thyxGPBpicZbFdGs5DuhMOq0F5UVM-eKks1cJap4DuwCxexoC1UkQAvD_BwE

I don't want to comprimise safety for jump building and am hoping to only buy one shovel for both purposes.

**backcountry.com please dont sue me for using your special word**
Dec 13 2020 2:16PM
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animator
Posts: 4567 - Karma: 26,341
partyandBSYo! Just ordered a beacon and probe. Plan on slowly and safely getting out into the backcountry this year. My goal is to get comfortable with my safety gear and practice up and then in the spring build some booter. I feel like this has probably been discussed but i havent found a thread so lemme know your thoughts!

I'm currently between the

BCA B-2 EXT
https://backcountryaccess.com/en-us/p/b-2-ext-avalanche-shovel

And the

DMOS Strealth
https://dmoscollective.com/collections/shovels/products/the-stealth-shovel?gclid=CjwKCAiAlNf-BRB_EiwA2osbxdf_2b8thyxGPBpicZbFdGs5DuhMOq0F5UVM-eKks1cJap4DuwCxexoC1UkQAvD_BwE

I don't want to comprimise safety for jump building and am hoping to only buy one shovel for both purposes.

**backcountry.com please dont sue me for using your special word**


Just copped a DMOS Stealth that’s gonna double as my car shovel and my avy shovel. Build quality is very nice, super stoked. BCA also makes a fantastic shovel, can’t go wrong either way!
Dec 13 2020 2:47PM
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partyandBS
Posts: 5188 - Karma: 80,867
I'm actually now leaning towards the BCA D-2 as, similar to my ex, it has hoe action. Seems like this safety feature out weighs the serrated blade of the DMOS Stealth.

https://backcountryaccess.com/en-us/p/d-2-ext-w-folding-saw
Dec 13 2020 5:49PM
6 0
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animator
Posts: 4567 - Karma: 26,341
partyandBSI'm actually now leaning towards the BCA D-2 as, similar to my ex, it has hoe action. Seems like this safety feature out weighs the serrated blade of the DMOS Stealth.

https://backcountryaccess.com/en-us/p/d-2-ext-w-folding-saw


Also a great shovel! And still works for booter construction!
Dec 13 2020 6:34PM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12562 - Karma: 117,096
heres what i use when i hit mfing booters on my tobaggan
Dec 13 2020 6:47PM
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wyld_stallyns
Posts: 475 - Karma: 4,629
Imma big fan of the Disney Frozen shovel. Comes with sweet gloves too hella lit




And talk about a good price gdam
Dec 13 2020 6:51PM
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partyandBS
Posts: 5188 - Karma: 80,867
TRVP_ANGELheres what i use when i hit mfing booters on my tobaggan


wyld_stallynsImma big fan of the Disney Frozen shovel. Comes with sweet gloves too hella lit




And talk about a good price gdam


Honestly surprised BCA doesn't have this as a kit option.
Dec 13 2020 6:56PM
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twerkphone64
Posts: 336 - Karma: 2,340
personally i always stay strapped with the poly pro tools. just attach it with a few ski straps and you're off to the races
Dec 13 2020 8:24PM
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rubberpantaloons
Posts: 506 - Karma: 3,096
moist_velvetpersonally i always stay strapped with the poly pro tools. just attach it with a few ski straps and you're off to the races

This is the answer, also helps that tuffys are virtually indestructible.
Dec 14 2020 12:47AM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,378
that DMOS shovel is definitely not a good option for any avy shovel. they work good for building jumps but i wouldn't want that in an avy rescue. the BCA one is alright but those shovels are usually kind of small. you probably want something with a bigger scoop, both for avy safety as well as building jumps.
Dec 14 2020 12:28PM
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akskier95
Posts: 62 - Karma: 566
The Stealth is NOT an avy shovel! Don't make that mistake bruv, when you're shoveling in an incident you're moving snow like you're paddling a canoe. The stealth is great for building jumps, I had one myself until it cracked after a season. Get the real deal, put in the extra work to build and know that you're prepared should the worst ever happen. Just my 2 cents!
Dec 14 2020 12:35PM
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tiger_shart
Posts: 510 - Karma: 1,594
Get the bca B-52. It’s a hog of a shovel, and still fits in a backpack. Stupid nice for making blocks and moves snow twice as fast as your homies teaspoons.
Dec 14 2020 12:52PM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,378
also the hoe and serrated edge stuff is all gimmicks. just get a shovel plain and simple
Dec 14 2020 1:11PM
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partyandBS
Posts: 5188 - Karma: 80,867
gravelalso the hoe and serrated edge stuff is all gimmicks. just get a shovel plain and simple


I got a buddy who is a guide at Silverton and he said that the hoe mode drastically increases his dig times when training.

The serrated edge is supposed to have better penetration for moving threw crud but mostly a gimmick. Gotta lay that fresh courdaroy down ya know? Haha.

But this thread has been super helpful so thanks! I am steering clear of the stealth. I do like the B52 size.
Dec 14 2020 2:04PM
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tiger_shart
Posts: 510 - Karma: 1,594
B2 vs B52
Dec 14 2020 4:31PM
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jca
Posts: 4172 - Karma: 6,310
partyandBSI got a buddy who is a guide at Silverton and he said that the hoe mode drastically increases his dig times when training.

The serrated edge is supposed to have better penetration for moving threw crud but mostly a gimmick. Gotta lay that fresh courdaroy down ya know? Haha.

But this thread has been super helpful so thanks! I am steering clear of the stealth. I do like the B52 size.


Big fan of hoe mode here. You can move a bunch of snow much more efficiently but it's more helpful for the "conveyor belt" dig technique than it is for cutting blocks for jump building.
Dec 14 2020 10:36PM
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