Blog

A snow shovel is an essential piece of kit to have with you when travel out to not only avalanche prone environments but also any area in which snow may be present. A shovel comes into use for many situations including digging a snow shelter, creating a quick seating area for a group, analysing snowpack, and in the unfortunate situation if an avalanche was to occur and a rescue situation took place.

We look at a snow shovel very much the same as most winter kit, first and foremost, in that it needs to be up to the job! Lightweight kit can be great but often shows signs of weakness which will surface when you need that piece of kit the most.

The Transfer Shovel is UIAA certified which means it’s been tested and accredited to standards set out by the UIAA by an independent 3 ^rd party. This is always a good indicator to look for when purchasing safety equipment but doesn’t always mean that piece of kit will be right for you. Always best to search advice if unsure which piece of gear will work best for the environment you wish to travel in.

The Transfer Shovel from Black Diamond has a long-standing reputation as a dependable piece of kit. This model has been tweaked over the years, although keeps its familiar instant solid feel in the hand and at 660 grams fits into the mid weight category. Black Diamond give the Transfer Shovel a maximum lifespan of 10 years, although this is mostly regarding the deterioration of plastic elements, in which the Transfer Shovel has minimal. The shaft and blade are all made of anodized aluminium which with the right care shouldn’t deteriorate and lead to corrosion.

The total length is 79cm which for us was a comfortable working size, a collapsed length of 61cm for travel, and further reduction in size for storage in a backpack when the blade is removed. A trapezoidal shaft comes in two sections with spring loaded rivets. Each section fits securely together with very little movement noticeable when fully extended. We did find it a little disappointing that the length is fixed, with no option to create a shorter shaft length that locks in place. This did make working in tighter spaces more difficult.

The head may not appear the largest, although the solid hold from the blade through to the handle makes shifting large quantities of snow with ease and never did it feel under strain when striking through hardened snow. The back of the blade is nice and flat, with a sharp tip edge great for cutting a nice clean line. A couple of hours spent with the Transfer, and you soon notice the difference a strong handle and comfortable grip can make.

Our Verdict
The Transfer Shovel might not be the most versatile snow shovel but often keeping things simple can be very beneficial. The blade is compact enough for easy storage although large enough to easily shift quantities of snow when needed. The shaft and handle form a solid hold which makes digging for longer periods of time as efficient and comfortable as possible. The blade has a sharp tip, and a smooth flat back, great for cutting through dense snow layers or creating a nice smooth finish. We used the Transfer Shovel for various tasks this winter from digging snow shelters right through to clearing sections of a road to get our vehicle through.

Trek Scotland is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting... Read more from Trek Scotland