How To Build A Rescue Sled With Your Shovel

Should be easy enough to add the necessary holes to my shovel. He leaves out a few details.. ski straps were used but not shown being installed as well as how he attached the poles to the lead guide. I suppose it isn't that hard to figure those out but the lead guide connection would be pretty important . Impressive usage of a tool we already carry.

vimeo.com/54555456

Brooks Range makes similar system:

They produce a shovel that has slots in it, which act as spreader bars. Break the shovel down and the bars go at the tips and tails. They also make an actual tarp that goes from the front to back, and is supported with ski poles. If you already have the shovel, and normally carry the ski straps, the tarp is about the size is 20z bottle (probably smaller) and weight less than a pound. It's a pretty phenominal piece of self rescue / safety gear for a pretty small weight/volume price. I pretty much carry the system whenever I'm out skiing.

brooks-range.com/Rescue/
brooks-range.com/Shovels/

I'll post some pics when I get back home

When you say, 'add holes to my shovel.' do you mean a non-K2/Brooks-range handle?

If so the aluminum will handle the stress and the shaft will deform with repeated use. I have done this and recommend buying one of the shovels designed for this and you can make your own sled, I sewed my own sled and use the commercial shovel.

I have used both typed of shovel and destroyed a perfectly good BCA shovel drilling out holes 10 years ago when I took my ski guides exam.

The voile straps add strength where the poles connect to the bindings.

Good call Mattski. I like the "hoe" feature of that K2 Rescue Shovel any so I just ordered it. My current shovel shouldn't be trusted anymore anyway it is ten years old and has a plastic blade that is likely getting brittle.