Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information & opinion website. Lou's passion for the past 50 years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about
ski touring and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the
Fourteeners! Books and free ski touring news and information here.
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Any note on where to get the retrofit? I can’t find any info on BCA’s website.
Thanks for reporting on this. Cheers
Just call BCA and they will send you one.
Will they fit the Traverse series? That’d be a welcome upgrade to a spare shovel.
Charlie, I’ve owned both Traverse and newer B series and I’d say it will fit. Contact BCA to be sure.
Plug-less shovels had worked wonders for me. But this plug looks interesting. Not this season, but might try it next year.
One thing to bear in mind is the plug is not meant to be removed and would be near impossible to do so in the field. If your shovel handle is part of your emergency sled concept, you may wish to leave the plug off, or even remove it at home to be able to remove the spring clip in order to bolt to ski tips/tails.
Indeed Plinko, that plug is bashed in there super tight. If I had to get it out at home I’d be attacking it with my heat gun. It could probably be made to be field removable by grinding on it just enough so it still fit tight enough to stay in while shoveling, but was still removable by prying it off. It’s funny, but I’m wondering if some shovels or their parts have actually become too beefy?