Camp shovel suggestions

I have one of the 26” D handle shovels. It lives outside the camper in the truck bed near the wheel well. I access it thru the driver side turnbuckle door. Not as convenient as mounted on the rear of the camper but out of most of the weather and all of the road grime that covers everything on the rear of the camper.

I purchased it decades ago on being told that Oregon law required back country travelers to carry at least a 26” shovel, an axe, & a bucket for fighting fires while camping. After this thread started, I tried, unsuccessfully, to find that law. It appears that now, only those working in the woods need to carry a minimal set of fire fighting tools including a pulaski axe.

Paul
 
Come to think of it I carry a Pulaski axe too! (Maybe this is why I'm close to maxing out my 11,000# GVWR!)
 
ski3pin said:
The other side of this - I cannot count the number of times we have returned to our truck at a trailhead, etc., and found a note saying, "We used your shovel, we put it back, thanks so much for having a shovel!" And several times the note included, "And thank god you had one to use!"
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Now that’s very interesting..
 
PaulT said:
I have one of the 26” D handle shovels. It lives outside the camper in the truck bed near the wheel well. I access it thru the driver side turnbuckle door. Not as convenient as mounted on the rear of the camper but out of most of the weather and all of the road grime that covers everything on the rear of the camper.

I purchased it decades ago on being told that Oregon law required back country travelers to carry at least a 26” shovel, an axe, & a bucket for fighting fires while camping. After this thread started, I tried, unsuccessfully, to find that law. It appears that now, only those working in the woods need to carry a minimal set of fire fighting tools including a pulaski axe.

Paul
Click to expand...
Law or not it just makes sense to have those items, especially if a person is going to have a campfire.
 
PaulT said:
I have one of the 26” D handle shovels. It lives outside the camper in the truck bed near the wheel well. I access it thru the driver side turnbuckle door. Not as convenient as mounted on the rear of the camper but out of most of the weather and all of the road grime that covers everything on the rear of the camper.

I purchased it decades ago on being told that Oregon law required back country travelers to carry at least a 26” shovel, an axe, & a bucket for fighting fires while camping. After this thread started, I tried, unsuccessfully, to find that law. It appears that now, only those working in the woods need to carry a minimal set of fire fighting tools including a pulaski axe.

Paul
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Near our new home, there is a public road that transits private property. I am told the property owner has posted a sign that says people using the road should carry a shovel, several gallons of water, and be prepared to fight a fire. Not unreasonable.
 
Not at all and it makes me think I need a new shovel for the Jeep. I sometimes carry a full size shovel in the Jeep but the only way to do it is to carry it vertically and that tends to snag trees and such. A folding shovel that can stay in the Jeep full time would be a better idea.
 
We carry an avalanche snow shovel (used in our glacier climbing days). I gotta admit it's probably too wimpy for anything serious, and ain't shaped right for digging in the desert. So far we've not used it though. It'd be ok for sand. And the handle is removable, the whole thing is light weight (aluminum). The short handle will probably ruin my back if I ever use it!
 
"That said, I wouldn’t want to do a lot of work with it. For real work, a full size shovel strapped to the Yakima bars is my preference."


Probably true but don't forget that a lot of "real work" was accomplished during WWII, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, etc. with small folding military shovels :)
 
Missing Link said:
"That said, I wouldn’t want to do a lot of work with it. For real work, a full size shovel strapped to the Yakima bars is my preference."


Probably true but don't forget that a lot of "real work" was accomplished during WWII, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, etc. with small folding military shovels :)
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For those times when exposed body parts could lead to a non habit forming experience.

Besides, they were young, with strong backs. We should all be thankful for their sacrifices.
 
this is an interesting thread.

I have an old military entrenching tool, I rarely use it and would hate to do any real digging with it.

The Eastwing rock pick looks interesting, and I may need to get one for at home.

Durango1 mentions carrying a Pulaski axe, I have never used one, how well do they work as an axe and as a pick?

What do people think of a Mcleod tool/fire rake? My thought is If it is softer dirt under a truck its easier to drag it out than to shovel it.

I too have a habit of carrying more tools than I could use.

PaulT "a minimal set of fire fighting tools including a pulaski axe."

What does that consist of?
 
One place I found them mentioned was in this reference written in bureau-speak:
https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=2844

it isn’t the reference I found when I posted above, but I forget which specific magic search phrase that found it. However, contemplating doing that search again makes my head hurt. I’m retired now, and need to conserve the few brain cells remaining after dealing with 2020 thus far. It ain’t over yet & may have a surprise or two remaining to dish out.

:p
Paul
 
PaulT said:
One place I found them mentioned was in this reference written in bureau-speak:
https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=2844
it isn’t the reference I found when I posted above, but I forget which specific magic search phrase that found it. However, contemplating doing that search again makes my head hurt. I’m retired now, and need to conserve the few brain cells remaining after dealing with 2020 thus far. It ain’t over yet & may have a surprise or two remaining to dish out.

:p
Paul
Click to expand...
Paul, I've been looking also without success. I remember reading the requirements when posted at Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge during fire restrictions.
 
A pulaski is a more specialized tool than a shovel or McLeod. As for moving mud or snow a McLeod might work but its a tall tool. A shovel can fit under a vehicle much easier. For fires it really depends on the terrain but generally with two people, one with a pulsaski and another with a McLeod works well. If I could only carry one tool then the shovel wins for versatility.
 
craig333 said:
A pulaski is a more specialized tool than a shovel or McLeod. As for moving mud or snow a McLeod might work but its a tall tool. A shovel can fit under a vehicle much easier. For fires it really depends on the terrain but generally with two people, one with a pulsaski and another with a McLeod works well. If I could only carry one tool then the shovel wins for versatility.
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For trail work I only use the Pulaski for chopping out wood and the mattock side for grubbing. Pick mattock works best for chopping grubbing digging on the mattock end while the pick is great for moving rocks. McLeod is a great trail tool for moving dirt and chopping light roots. I would not be without one for efficient trial work.

A shovel is a wonderful tool that can do multiple tasks. Dig, chop, move dirt, make holes. Sharpen the edge.

For stream line packing and versatility for one tool, the shovel gets the go. Room for 2 tools add a McLeod.

For moveing dirt underneath vehicle as Craig mentioned a shovel just fits better. Lots of ways to use a shovel.
 
Thanks for the responses.

having always lived in the east the fire fighting tools arent known.

This gives me some things to consider as I prepare for retirement travels in a few years
 
Just FYI, a quality shovel used for firefighting and trail work is very different from the cheap shovels found at Home Depot. The spade is comprised of thicker higher quality steel and the connection between the spade and the handle is reinforced. Normally they come with a much higher quality hickory handle. This allows the shovel to take a lot more punishment from prying, chopping and scraping. You can also sharpen the edge to make digging and chopping easier.
 
ski3pin said:
The other side of this - I cannot count the number of times we have returned to our truck at a trailhead, etc., and found a note saying, "We used your shovel, we put it back, thanks so much for having a shovel!" And several times the note included, "And thank god you had one to use!"


note_on_truck.jpg
Click to expand...
I'll keep this in mind if mine ever comes up missing.
 
I have the Cold Steel russian special forces shovel. Stinking love it! Small enough to keep under rear seat of Ram 2500, very sturdy, you can sharpen it and use as an axe! Could definitely be used as a weapon
 
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