By Andy Wenberg, Backcountry Access

The cold, snowy, mountainous terrain in which we work and recreate is continually evolving. Avalanche rescue is no different, including how we shovel and what kinds of avalanche shovels are available. BCA videos provide solid education about strategic shoveling. But when and how should you use traditional vs. hoe shovel mode for avalanche rescues?

Over time, avalanche rescue has transitioned from very reactive, relying heavily on organized third-party rescue to more proactive communication, prevention, and education aimed at avoiding getting caught in an avalanche. Groups now are more likely to travel one at a time through avalanche terrain, to observe snowpack conditions regularly, and to know how to recognize red flags and high hazard days.

Transceiver search times in real-life rescue scenarios have improved dramatically since the inception of digital avalanche transceivers, becoming the quickest and easiest phase to conduct. Excavation with avalanche shovels remains the most time-consuming effort in almost any rescue.

With a burial depth of 1.2 meter deep, a shoveler(s) can plan on moving 1 to 1.5 tons of snow. That's a lot of work and is physically demanding. It's essential to allocate manpower appropriately and bring the right tool for the job. Metal shovels with the ability to assemble quickly and stow well in your bag have always been the standard criteria for shovels and functionality was straight forward. A few years ago that changed, when manufacturers began introducing shovels that transformed to function as a hoe. Hoe mode shovels added a new functional element to consider.

Traditional vs. hoe mode shoveling best practices

When is it appropriate to use an avalanche shovel in hoe mode, and when is it best to use the shovel in its traditional mode?

While I was attending the Avalanche Science program at Colorado Mountain College-Leadville (CMC) last year, we did some extensive shoveling tests and on-snow drills. The results provided best practices for when and how to use traditional shovel mode vs. hoe mode for avalanche rescues.

Traditional shovel mode scenarios and applications

Traditional shovel mode excels in any scenario where excavation takes place deeper than 0.5 meters. Traditional shovel mode should be used when digging deep, in hard avalanche debris, and when there is a need for accuracy and craftsmanship. Hoe mode was more effective for shallow excavation scenarios (a stuck snowmobile), for softer snow, and for secondary rescue shovelers moving snow downhill.