When it comes to gear in my pack I am really picky and if it won’t last a minimum of 100 days it wouldn’t last a single season below is my BCA Shaxe Avalanche Shovel Review.
When it comes to backcountry riding and your backpack starts filling up you want gear that has multiple purposes. I’ve been using the BCA Shaxe for the past ten years (originally K2) and it has seen more days in the backcountry than any other piece of gear I use.
Not only is it a shovel which is essential for shoveling snow but it is also an ice axe which is essential for climbing and steep skiing.
Using the Shaxe on exposed climbing in Arctic Russia
You may be wondering “how could a shovel also be an Ice axe” but this is the genius behind the product. The main shaft has an interchangeable section that allows for either a handle of an ice axe head while the base allows for a shovel blade. Half the time I am in the backcountry I need both so I love knowing I only need to carry one piece of gear and it is super durable. Using only one piece of gear for two applications makes the pack both a bit light and allows for more space for additional gear.
Even tough it is a combo piece of gear I feel that there is no sacrifice on either end of the spectrum and as the shovel is vital in your 3 part combo (beacon, probe and shovel) you might as well get more bang for your buck. BCA has a lot of smart employees who are passionate backcountry skiers as well as engineers and it is obvious a lot of though went to making this product.
In conclusion
Once again after ten years of use I am still sold. I’ve used it for anything from digging out avi debris to building igloos in the backcountry and at this point I don’t even own another shovel. If I had to buy a new one I would still pay a bit more to get my hands on it so YES it is worth it and always in my pack.I hope you enjoyed my BCA Shaxe Avalanche Shovel Review
Using the BCA Shaxe for my accommodations in Japan
