You'll probably use your shovel most for digging snow pits, building tent platforms or even digging out your car. And most shovels will do an adequate job for these tasks. Unfortunately, because avalanche debris sets up so hard, a frighteningly large number of shovels fail when called upon for their most critical function of excavating a buried friend. This is why our shovels are designed for durability and utility. The K2 Rescue Shovel can also construct an emergency sled, build a dead man anchor, or provide a flat platform for your stove.