– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

BCA Shovel Shaft End Plug – Retrofit Kit

by Lou Dawson December 14, 2012
written by Lou Dawson December 14, 2012

While current retail BCA “B” series shovels are all sold with a plug in the bottom (blade) end of the shaft, some were sold in the past that did not have this plug. Though “plugless” shovels have worked fine for us and we are big fans of this shovel model series, some individuals have reported (sometimes rather vehemently) that snow packing into the open shaft end can cause the shaft to part ways with the blade. Thus, BCA provides a plug retrofit kit that we highly recommend. Pretty simple, check it out.

BCA shaft plug upgrade kit includes a shorter button spring, plug and instructions.

BCA shaft plug upgrade kit includes a shorter button spring, plug and instructions.

Completed install, the process is simple. Swap spring. Insert plug in shaft. Bash shaft down on solid surface to seat the plug.

Completed install, the process is simple. Swap spring. Insert plug in shaft. Bash shaft down on solid surface to seat the plug.

Previous “B” BCA shovels review.

Shop for BCA avalanche shovels here.

7 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Hueristic traps in avalanche terrain
next post
He’s Checking it Thrice… A Wildsnow Christmas List

7 comments

Tim December 14, 2012 - 11:37 am

Any note on where to get the retrofit? I can’t find any info on BCA’s website.
Thanks for reporting on this. Cheers

Steve December 14, 2012 - 1:03 pm

Just call BCA and they will send you one.

Charlie December 14, 2012 - 7:23 pm

Will they fit the Traverse series? That’d be a welcome upgrade to a spare shovel.

Plinko December 19, 2012 - 12:15 am

Charlie, I’ve owned both Traverse and newer B series and I’d say it will fit. Contact BCA to be sure.

Mickey Heater December 20, 2012 - 5:32 am

Plug-less shovels had worked wonders for me. But this plug looks interesting. Not this season, but might try it next year.

Plinko December 20, 2012 - 10:38 am

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.

Lou Dawson December 20, 2012 - 2:10 pm

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?

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Mike Bromberg on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • phillip gallagher on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • Jim Pace on Simple and Dependable — Black Diamond Helio 145 Binding Review
  • DavidB on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • Manasseh on Simple and Dependable — Black Diamond Helio 145 Binding Review

Gear Reviews

  • Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review

    January 14, 2021
  • Meidjo 3.0 Binding Review – Backcountry Telemark Evolves

    January 12, 2021
  • Tele Tech First Look — Voile Ultra Vector BC, 22 Designs Lynx, Scarpa TX Pro

    January 5, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir Snowfield

    November 14, 2020
  • Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains

    October 6, 2020
  • Snoqualmie Classic — Chair Peak Circumnavigation

    May 26, 2020

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

    December 9, 2020
  • Unraveling the Mysteries of Avalanche Education — Totally Deep Podcast 80

    November 16, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020
  • Buying Used Gear Guide Part II — Poles, Avy Gear, Packs

    November 25, 2020
  • Save Your Ski Day — Emergency Car Kit Essentials

    November 24, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Euro Puro Amoro — La Sportiva...

January 13, 2021

Petzl Irvis Hybrid Crampon Review

January 4, 2021

Outdoor Research Carbide W Jacket &...

December 24, 2020