Product Information
Item: SnowClaw Aluminum Pro Series backcountry snow shovel
Manufacturer's URL: www.snowclaw.com
Year of Manufacture: 2004 (I presume)
MSRP: $29.99
Weight (listed): web site 11.8 oz (335 g)
hang tag 13 oz (368 g)
(actual): 11.5 oz (326 g)
Initial Impressions
The SnowClaw arrived in an 11 1/2 X 13 1/2 X 2 1/2" (29 1/2 X 33
1/2 X
6 cm) box with two sheets of literature and a hangtag. The first
piece of literature is an 8 1/2 X 11" (21 X 28 cm) sheet with
endorsements from several magazines. The second sheet is a 6 X 8 1/2"
(15 X 21 cm) color card which has photos on the front showing both the
plastic and aluminum SnowClaws, a man shoveling snow with the SnowClaw,
and suggested alternate uses, such as a snow anchor and a splint. On
the back we again have several magazine endorsements, as well as
SnowClaw contact information (address, phone number and URL). The 3 X
4 1/4" (7 1/2 X 11 cm) hang tag has the photos of the man shoveling
snow and the SnowClaw rigged as a snow anchor on the front, while the
back has general SnowClaw propaganda, the bar code and an urgent news
flash - "Backcountry travel can be very dangerous". The SnowClaw
itself looks just like I had anticipated from the web site photos. It
is made from a sheet of aluminum approximately 1/16" (.2 cm) thick
and
about 12 X 11 1/2" (30 1/2 X 29 cm), painted a bright yellow, so
it
should be easy to spot in the snow. The sheet of aluminum is cut into
an ovoid shape and then pressed into a curve. The SnowClaw doesn't
have a 'handle' in the traditional sense, but rather two cutouts on the
side which are positioned for the fingers of both hands to grip easily,
so it becomes more of a 'snow scoop' than a true shovel.
These 'handles' are generously cut, so there is plenty of room for my
gloved hands to grip it. These handles are encased in black plastic
which has patent information on one side and the legend "Always wear
gloves when digging" on the other. The top and bottom edges of the
SnowClaw are beveled to a semi-point, presumably to aid in digging hard-
packed snow. The front face of the SnowClaw has a very cool logo, a
stylized man digging with a SnowClaw, and the words "Backcountry
snow
shovel". There are two vertical 1" (2 1/2 cm) slots on each
side, to
pass webbing through for use as a snow anchor, which also are useful
for attaching the SnowClaw to a pack.
Testing
I have only been able to bring the SnowClaw out on one outing so far,
and there wasn't a whole lot of snow left on the ground, but I was able
to make certain observations:
1) The SnowClaw is very easy to attach to my backpacks. I tried it on
three different packs - a GVP G4, a mid-sized Jansport 'weekender'
pack, and a TNF day pack - and was able to easily figure out how to
attach it securely to each of them.
2) I was able to find enough snow to dig in and I shoveled for 10
minutes without developing a backache. I was able to move a lot of
snow in 10 minutes.
3) The SnowClaw works very well as a base for my alcohol stove.
4) It also works very well as a plate.
5) When turned sideways it makes a fairly comfortable seat.
Test Plan
I intend to bring the SnowClaw up Mount Mansfield in search of more
snow, but I imagine it won't get a real thorough test in deep snow
until late next fall. Before the long term report is due I hope to
have used it to build several snow caves, as well as digging out my car
and whatever other clever uses I can think of.
Thanks to BGT and SnowClaw for making it possible for me to test this
product.
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