If, despite all caution, it does happen, then a shovel and probe are part of your life insurance, along with an avalanche transceiver and personal know-how. No wonder, then, that the demands on robustness and user-friendliness are high. Can the new developments from SALEWA meet these requirements?
Testing
Both items were carried in the backpack during ski tours/freeriding in the Alps and Tajikistan and used for snow profiling and bivouac construction. Fortunately, there are no reports of use in serious avalanches.
Probe "Lightning 320 Pro"
With a length of 320 cm, this probe is also suitable for large burial depths. The tested model is made of aluminum, but is also available in carbon. In the aluminum version, you don't need to run to the gym to handle it thanks to its low weight. When you hold the probe in your hand, you notice the relatively thick rods with a diameter of around 12 mm. The seven segments are alternately green and black and end in a red segment with a slightly wider cone at the tip. Markings are placed at 5 cm intervals to determine the burial depth. A tensioning system using a sheathed steel cable connects the segments. At the end of the cable is another segment with a handy plastic handle and spring-loaded countersunk head for locking. By pulling on this, the segments snap into place, resulting in a ready-to-use probe within seconds.
Handling
The first impression is convincing and suggests a reasonable level of robustness. If you eject the segments as described and pull the black plastic handle while shaking it, the segments snap into place quickly and effortlessly. The tension can be increased by turning the handle anti-clockwise or released again by turning it clockwise when dismantling. Once you start probing, the probe glides easily through compacted snow thanks to the wider cone at its tip. The diameter of 12 mm results in a relatively rigid probe that is easy to guide. Disassembly is also child's play thanks to the clockwise rotation of the handle and the associated reduction in tension. The only negative aspect is the low durability of the markings. After just a few uses, some of them have already worn away.
Conclusion
Compared to other probes, the Salewa model impresses with its clever details, such as the rotating plastic handle for adjusting the tension. Handling is easy, but a look at the instructions is helpful, otherwise you probably won't get the trick with the handle rotation. Apart from the markings, the workmanship suggests durability and robustness. The stiffness is not outstanding, but more than satisfactory in terms of weight and diameter. Without any major reservations, I can attest to the "Lightning 320 Pro"'s great usability.
Razor D Shovel"
Once the buried person has been located with an avalanche transceiver and probe, a lot of snow has to be moved in most cases. A shovel with a large capacity paired with efficient technology can save lives when every minute counts. With the "Razor D", SALEWA claims to have placed a lightweight, robust and efficient shovel on the market. It is indeed noticeable that the aluminum shovel blade has a large surface area of around 730 cm2. Despite its light weight, the blade is torsion-resistant and robust. The front edge is ground and slightly serrated for better penetration in compact snow. The telescopic shaft can be extended to 90 cm and can be attached to the shovel blade with a spring-loaded countersunk head. A large, handy handle is attached to the end of the shaft. Sanded areas called "Pro Grip" are also applied at the necessary points on the shaft. Overall, the shovel weighs 720 g in total.
Handling
The size of the shovel blade requires a little more space in the backpack, but this should be accepted due to the advantage of the increased shovel performance. The shovel and shaft can be easily connected to each other. The shaft can now be extended to 90 cm to achieve a much greater leverage effect. When you hold the shovel in its final size in your hands, it may appear somewhat unstable and rickety. However, once you start shoveling, this feeling will quickly disappear in most cases. Thanks to the long shaft, the large surface area and the sharpened shovel blade, considerable amounts of snow can be moved in a short time with relatively little effort. Reservations should be made about very compacted, wet and heavy snow. Although this generally pushes most shovels to their limits, I am not sure that the plastic handle of the Razor can withstand these loads in the long term. Under high loads, the handle gives way noticeably, which tends to prevent me from shoveling at full power. From a design point of view, the attachment of this handle to the end of the shaft is the main weak point. Unfortunately, the "Pro Grip" iced up after a few minutes, which significantly limited its good function.
Conclusion
In most respects, SALEWA has managed to design a very practical and powerful shovel, which also scores points with its low weight and refined blade design. In terms of greater robustness in heavy snow, the attachment of the handle and the grip surface on the shaft could be improved with regard to the tendency to ice up. Overall, the shovel has provided valuable services, especially in Tajikistan for snow profiles and the construction of "bivouac villages" therefore I give it the rating: Highly recommended!
Product details
Probe: RRP: 59.95 € / 84.- CHF
Weight: 420 g
Size: insert length 320 cm, pack size 45 cm
Material: ALU 7075
8-piece probe with quick release
Pull handle with automatic engagement and adjustment ring
Oversize cross-section for maximum rigidity
Drop-shaped tip
5 cm length marking & colored segmentation
Scoop:
RRP: 69,95 € / 109,- CHF
Weight: 720 g
Size: 47x23 cm pack size, 90cm working length, 32x23 cm blade
Material: ALU 6161 T6
large, sharp & serrated shovel blade
two-stage telescopic handle with sanded grip zone
D-shaped handle
step edge with slip protection
Advantages & disadvantages
Probe:
+ easy, quick handling
+ adjustable tensioning system
+ robust
- markings not very durable
Scoop:
+ low weight
+ easy, quick handling
+ powerful
+ packs small
- weak attachment of the handle
- icy grip area on the shaft
