Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

I bought the model that has become the "Racer" when they first came to the market, around two or three years ago. We also own a traditional backcountry shovel. Both my husband and me carry a shovel at all times when snowshoeing, in case something happens.

I usually carry the SnowClaw as it fits my hands better than his. I don't have a great deal of hand strength, but I can dig fast, being able to be on my knees and using my hands on the side of the Claw. With the regular shovel, I have to stand, and have strength to cut into the snow.

I have also used the Claw as a table-you can hang it from a tree even. I have also used it as a sitting platform and to prepare food on it. It is very much multi purpose.

For convience, it straps onto most packs easily. I use my compression straps on my winter packs, and put it across the back of my pack. It is just shy of 6 ounces, worth every ounce for safety.

The Claw also works great for cutting snow when making igloos. My son has used it as a glissading seat.

My only downside of it is that I think as a group, you still need someone carrying a true shovel in case of avy, so they can dig large portions of snow fast. It would be best to give the strongest person that job.

Edited by sarbar on 12/08/2006 09:38:21 MST.

Rating: 5 / 5

My snow claw is one of the more recent models. I used it on one winter trip for bivy prep; I can move snow at a higher rate than with a shovel due to the low inertia of the blade; I dug into a 45' slope and got about one dig per second using the top-down method. Then switched to horizontal and leveled the platform snow and ice with the center tip. Then, I used the device as one of my snow anchors. Held fast as you might expect with such a large device.
At other times, I sat on it in the snow, and used it on the outside of my pack under the compression straps as protection between my pack and my sharp crampons. The claw was one of my best purchases, and has MANY uses during an alpine trip. And of course it is very light. Highly recommended. I will always carry it when I expect snow.