killclimbz

The "snow hoe" option is actually very nice. Great for when you are digging pits with multiple people. You can hoe shit out of the way while others dig. It also could be very useful if you are digging like hell for a person with two or three others. Again, clearing snow as you dig into your victim.

Slush Puppie

I've been doing a bit more research, the Kodiak looks pretty awesome too if you want the pick axe function. Though I'm still with my original choice.

It's amazing how many design features you can fit into a shovel (and how important some of them seem to be).

The G3 AviTech was tempting me briefly. But the Beast is easier to source where I am and seems comparable in a few key ways and a solid choice.

Probe wise, I havent found any option recommended more frequently (by europeans) than the Ortovox. I also haven't seen any carbon probes for sale locally of 3+m but most will take a 40mm or 60mm extension piece. So going to stick with that option too and probably get the 40mm extension. Seems a sensible compromise of all the considerations raised.

I'm still not much closer to choosing a pack though. Have any of you used the Ortovox Freeride? Free Rider 18 Snowsafe : Avalanche safety products and Backcountry equipment
Or the Dakine Heli pro?
Thoughts, other suggestions?
Needs to be small low profile and light (but with completely internal shovel storage.)

Also considering airbag options.

It's something I think I could ideally do with trying on before buying but I don't want to risk waiting until I get to the resort because I don't know what the visibility situation is like

__________________
We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further.
Richard Dawkins

deeppowder

Having a probe that would work everywhere does seem more practical to me.

linvillegorge

My probe is 320cm, but realistically speaking, if you're digging up someone buried 300cm, you're likely going to be digging up a corpse. They're just too deep. It's gonna take too long.

__________________
"People say that marijuana smoking is going to get in the way of my career. I say to them that on the contrary, my fighting career is getting in the way of my marijuana smoking." -Nick Diaz

ShredLife

if you hold a tape measure in your hand and let it drop to the floor you'll be holding 75-100 cm of tape in your hand if you remain upright. in a probing situation are you going to go down to one knee driving your hand to the top of the snow each time you probe or are you going to remain standing?

i think its a silly argument to go short. are any of you really that concerned over the weight of two more fucking tent poles? would you accept a beacon with 30% less range? an airbag with 30% less capacity just so it will weigh 5% lighter?

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get the hell off my lawn.

linvillegorge

I guess you missed the part where I said that I have a 320cm probe during your passionate rant.

__________________
"People say that marijuana smoking is going to get in the way of my career. I say to them that on the contrary, my fighting career is getting in the way of my marijuana smoking." -Nick Diaz

ShredLife

the silly part was really more about the OP asking for advice on equipment and to then try and justify his decision contrary to the advice he has received.

__________________
get the hell off my lawn.

linvillegorge

Ah, gotcha

__________________
"People say that marijuana smoking is going to get in the way of my career. I say to them that on the contrary, my fighting career is getting in the way of my marijuana smoking." -Nick Diaz

Slush Puppie

Shrug. Well I listened to your advice and as already stated, since 300cm or longer were not available (without ordering for the US maybe), whereas the 280cm once actually was I've gone for that. Following the recommendation of several avalanche professionals is good enough for me.

I'm glad at 320cm yours all "go up to 11" so to speak but the crucial thing is that I now have something that I can and will carry with me in the side country where I will be using it instead of nothing. So let's just move on and hope none of us ever need to use them for real.

__________________
We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further.
Richard Dawkins