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G3 SpadeTECH Shovel Rounds Out the Denali Shovel Quiver

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Thought we’d start firing a few gear reviews from up here on the big one.

The G3 Guide with modified D handle.

The G3 SpadeTECH with modified D handle.



Caleb reviewed our Backcountry Access shovels a while ago. Happy to report that all shovels are working well here at 14,200 feet on Denali, with no durability issues. That said, I’d like to single out the G3 SpadeTECH we brought along. While our BCA shovels have an incredible ratio of durability vs weight vs blade size, the G3 biases everything to the durability side, making this our shovel of choice whenever we have dense snow to chip away at. On Denali you get lots of that kind of snow, so we’re incredibly glad we threw in the G3 at the last minute. While the Guide doesn’t have the blade size we like for a Colorado avalanche safety tool, you could still press it into service for that. Quite a nice tool, if I do say. (Note, we modified the G3 with a D-handle from a cheap hardware store snow shovel — all shovels on Denali should have D-handles.)

Posted by Lou on June 10, 2010 | Filed Under Denali McKinley, Gear Mods, Misc Gear Reviews 

previous post: Acclimation Day – We Climb to 17,200 Feet
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Comments

9 Responses to “G3 SpadeTECH Shovel Rounds Out the Denali Shovel Quiver”

  1. Cam June 10th, 2010 11:37 am

    Hi Lou,

    The shovel you brought up there is actually called the G3 SpadeTECH, and we’re stoked you’re enjoying it up there. We also wanted to let you know we make it in both a T grip and a D grip (so folks don’t have to resort to the hardware store handle).

    http://www.genuineguidegear.com/gear/shovels/spadetech

    Glad to see the trip is going well so far, and Good luck!!

  2. Ken June 10th, 2010 1:25 pm

    Not sure why you’re so hyped on D handles… They are longer and less wieldy, have more plastic to break, have durability issues, and are harder to use with mitts or big gloves as your hand has to go inside of the D. T handles are smaller and more packable, have less surface area to crack or break, and can be used by anyone regardless of mitt or glove size. Every person has particular preferences, but you always seem to like D grips for the same reasons I cite for liking T grips…as far as I can tell, D grips are inferior in every way. What gives?

  3. Peter Banta June 10th, 2010 4:25 pm

    D-handles only seem better to maybe run a rope through, if you were to use the shovel for an impromptu anchor or something.

  4. Ken Gross June 10th, 2010 7:19 pm

    The D grip allows a full hand to solidly grasp the handle. The T handle forces a split finger grip that can be uncomfortable and even painful when engaged in heavy work and/or for long duration.

  5. Mark W June 10th, 2010 8:21 pm

    Mitts work better with a D-grip, do they not? Seems like gloves would also grasp a D-grip more easily. T-grips are simpler, likely stronger, and less bulky.

  6. Terese June 10th, 2010 8:36 pm

    Help winter’s coming….I’m having trouble finding an AT boot to work with my BD Joules, Dynafit bindings and my wide foot…currently suffering with a Garmont Radium boot and am not comfortable on descents…toe pain and a bit of numbness after ascents. I have a high arch and a womens shoe size of 11W. Any ideas?

  7. Nick June 10th, 2010 9:30 pm

    Cam, thanks for the notice- correction made. As to the debate on D vs. T- it is definitely a personal thing. I myself prefer the comfort of the D for any extended amount of shoveling. A T is nice for compactness. I’ve forwarded these to Lou to see if he has any other reasons to back his preference.

  8. Nick June 10th, 2010 9:31 pm

    Answer from Lou:
    We’ve experimented with both, here is what the boys say:
    Jordan: “I’ll gurantee I couldn’t have done the shoveling I did this morning wth my big mits and a T handle.”
    Caleb: “The D handles worked great this morning, we’re glad to have them.”
    Lou: “I’ve used both a bunch, and there is a reason we went to the trouble to D-handle all our shovels. That said, sure, if you really really experience the T-handle as just as efficient with big mittens and cold hands, then by all means they’re fine, but please know we have no bias, we just wanted what we knew worked.”

  9. Eddie June 11th, 2010 10:53 am

    I totally agree. My backcountry ski shovel is a t-handle, but if I know if I’m gonna be doing any amount of work with one you can’t beat a D-handle for comfort.

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