Snow shovel for a car

dave89

Nomad
Dec 30, 2012
436
7
Sheffield
Recieved the snow shovel today, and it looks good, a bit shorter that I thought but not a major issue. The only thing I can't figure out is there are 4 holes in the corners of the shovel itself and body know that there for?

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pysen78

Forager
Oct 10, 2013
201
0
Stockholm
Recieved the snow shovel today, and it looks good, a bit shorter that I thought but not a major issue. The only thing I can't figure out is there are 4 holes in the corners of the shovel itself and body know that there for?

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I believe they are for strapping to the outside of your pack.
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
11
Brigantia
Ive got one of these:

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Its says 1939 on it. Its not too big, but on the plus side, you can use it as a frying pan, [perfect for sausages] and just take the shovel head, in a rucksack, and cut a long branch for a handle in the woods.

Better options for the car of course, but maybe worth consideration, if you have a bug out bag in your car.
 

Goatboy

Full Member
Jan 31, 2005
14,956
18
Scotland
Recieved the snow shovel today, and it looks good, a bit shorter that I thought but not a major issue. The only thing I can't figure out is there are 4 holes in the corners of the shovel itself and body know that there for?

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

Dave if it's a mountaineering snow shovel then the four holes in the corners are more likely to be so that you can attach cable/tatt to be able to turn it into a mountaineering "Deadman", a type of snow anchor often used when working your way down a snow slope. Handy to be able to turn your shovel into one as it saves weight. John Fenna on the other hand just uses a Stickers bar. :D

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.
 

dave89

Nomad
Dec 30, 2012
436
7
Sheffield
Dave if it's a mountaineering snow shovel then the four holes in the corners are more likely to be so that you can attach cable/tatt to be able to turn it into a mountaineering "Deadman", a type of snow anchor often used when working your way down a snow slope. Handy to be able to turn your shovel into one as it saves weight. John Fenna on the other hand just uses a Stickers bar. :D

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.
8e3433cb69fbb9a2a8c30a732d417b72.jpg



It's like this one if that helps

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Goatboy

Full Member
Jan 31, 2005
14,956
18
Scotland
8e3433cb69fbb9a2a8c30a732d417b72.jpg



It's like this one if that helps

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Yup definitely for turning it into a snow anchor. Four holes so that you can equalise the strain/direction of pull as it attaches to your escape system.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.
 

bigbear

Full Member
May 1, 2008
1,067
213
Yorkshire
Having held a second falling on a deadman, I rate them, shovel seems about the right shape and size BUT it has to be placed right, or its no damn us at all.
Read. Up and practice, lots !
 
Last edited:

Goatboy

Full Member
Jan 31, 2005
14,956
18
Scotland
Having held a second falling on a deadman, I rate them, shovel seems about the right shape and size BUT it has to be plac right, or its no damn us at all.
Read. Up and practice, lots !

Yes fun watching them pop when placed incorrectly, but only when training on safe slopes.
Winter climbing kit can be a bit mind boggling to newbies, and the concept of gear that pops to slow you down scares the bejezus out of folks, but it works and boy are you thankfull when one finally holds. Miss not being able to be a winter warrior these days. :(

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.
 

pysen78

Forager
Oct 10, 2013
201
0
Stockholm
This was new and very interesting info to me! I may just get my self a mountaneering shovel just for the well-thought-out-edness of them now!
I fell silly now, for posting my own deductions as knowledge. My sincere apologies to Dave89 and anyone else affected.
 

Goatboy

Full Member
Jan 31, 2005
14,956
18
Scotland
This was new and very interesting info to me! I may just get my self a mountaneering shovel just for the well-thought-out-edness of them now!
I fell silly now, for posting my own deductions as knowledge. My sincere apologies to Dave89 and anyone else affected.

I wouldn't feel bad about it, many climbers don't know what the holes are for and fewer could set one up safely. Though with a little training they make a great anchor and in the right conditions you'd be amazed how much strain they'd take.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.
 

dave89

Nomad
Dec 30, 2012
436
7
Sheffield
This was new and very interesting info to me! I may just get my self a mountaneering shovel just for the well-thought-out-edness of them now!
I fell silly now, for posting my own deductions as knowledge. My sincere apologies to Dave89 and anyone else affected.
To be fair it will never get used as a snow anchor, where as using the hole to attach them to my pack will be the most probable outcome

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