Check out the Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel if you want a design that's light, small, fast, and simple. Couloir Magazine was so impressed they gave it their 2006 Degisn Innovations Award. The Deploy 3 Shovel's handle collapses into the blade for a tiny 17.3in package that's entirely self-contained. Just give the handle a pull, and its trapezoidal shape ensures it slides and locks into place. No more messing with frozen buttons or handle parts buried in your pack. In addition to this Black Diamond shovel's amazing simplicity, it weighs only 20oz, making it a great choice for alpine climbing and lightweight backcountry tours.


Features:

• Unique patent-pending trapezoidal bent shaft offers maximum extension through two-piece shaft design, enhancing both reach and strength


• Shaft deploys quickly via a quick squeeze of spring pins; shaft shape prevents rotation for positive engagement of spring pins every time


• Ergonomic T-grip handle feels like a D-grip but packs small and is glove- and mitten-friendly


• Sturdy anodized 6000-series aluminum blade in a smooth and flat shape carves quickly through snow during recovery and cuts clean during pit analysis


• Pointed blade enables more effective chopping and flat sides help in smoothing pit walls; anchor holes through blade allow use as a dead man anchor


• Blade Size: 14 x 8.5in