While current retail BCA “B” series shovels are all sold with a plug in the bottom (blade) end of the shaft, some were sold in the past that did not have this plug. Though “plugless” shovels have worked fine for us and we are big fans of this shovel model series, some individuals have reported (sometimes rather vehemently) that snow packing into the open shaft end can cause the shaft to part ways with the blade. Thus, BCA provides a plug retrofit kit that we highly recommend. Pretty simple, check it out.
BCA shaft plug upgrade kit includes a shorter button spring, plug and instructions.
Completed install, the process is simple. Swap spring. Insert plug in shaft. Bash shaft down on solid surface to seat the plug.
Previous “B” BCA shovels review.
Shop for BCA avalanche shovels here.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
