Drilling holes in shovel handle for rescue sled?

For the best results, drill the holes so that they are parallel to the blade.  i.e. the same direction as the other expanding pins.

By "in the same direction as the expanding pins", do you mean in line with where the expanding pins are? I want to make sure I understand what you are describing.

Look at the designs that Voile and BCA have with their extendable handle shovels. Drilling in the same direction that they do (side to side, not top to bottom) will weaken your shovel handle the least. Hope that makes sense?

I believe so!  So for this shovel, for example: www.backcountry.com/images/items/large/BLD/BLD0931/OC.jpg , drill on the side face of the handle, where the extendible pins are, rather than on the top/bottom face of the handle, which also happens to be narrower.

It's good to know what will weaken the shovel handle the least; thanks.

What about skipping all that and getting a shovel that has slots in the BLADE?
brooks-range.com/Shovels/
and
www.backcountry.com/g3-avitech-shovel-d-grip
Seems like a hella good idea to me. Added bonus is that blade w slots would be mega useful as a deadman for general mountaineering usage (eg you deep-anchor your tent on summit day so wind doesn't get it; granted you're leaving your shovel but maybe you and partner have 2 and take one leave one, this all assumes no av conditions, more like what you might do on Rainier in June/July.)

It's possible you'd need TWO shovels but it's also possible that the handle already has holes in about the right spots to not require any drilling and do with one (looks like the G3 handle's right for this at least.)

keep in mind this whole sled idea only works if your friends drill holes in their skis....

Brooks Range Shovels have slots in the handles for ski tips and tails, to work with their rescue sled kits.  The slots in the shovel blade are for deadman anchor applications.

The problem with this approach is that the shovel handles have to be a bit burlier than the norm to remain strong enough not to crumple while shoveling - adding weight.  I experimented a little bit in the last five years and finally settled on carrying a BRM ultralite sled with collapsible spreader bars.  I typically only carry it when I'm a ridge away from the car, or in groups of four or more (where the 1st aid kit, repair kit, and sled kit can be spread out amongst the team more.

Chris