General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

2

Total Parts

2

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Non-ferrous (aluminum?) metal and synthetic

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

60.0 cm

Width

12.0 cm

Height

4.5 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Meteorology

Category

Precipitation amount, rate & duration measurement

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Black

Country

Poland

State/Province

Unknown

City

Unknown

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

British Columbia

Period

2002-2014

Canada

Taken from acquisition worksheet: This shovel was used in the field by researchers from the Applied Snow and Avalanche Research Group at the University of Calgary (ASARC) at study sites in Rogers Pass, B.C. and Blue River, B.C. between 2002 and 2014 to dig snow profiles and to conduct snow profile observations. The field program was a collaboration with Parks Canada and Mike Wiegele Helicopter skiing. This shovel was also carried by ASARC researchers as part of avalanche safety equipment. To be used in tandem with an avalanche beacon and probe to locate someone buried in the snow and to dig them out. Formed in 1987, the Applied Snow and Avalanche Research Calgary (ASARC) program is part of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Calgary. The primary research goal is “Improved methods for forecasting, assessing, mitigating and mapping snow avalanche risks”. Known for conducting field studies that reflect a research need or an opportunity, the program receives funding from a number of operations, including NSERC. Dr. Bruce Jamieson, one of the foremost authorities on avalanches in North America is the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Snow Avalanche Risk Control.

Function

Used to dig snow pits for snow profile observations and if caught in an avalanche, used to dig out buried victims.

Technical

Taken from acquisition worksheet: A lightweight portable shovel in three sections made of TIG welded aluminum tubes joining shovel blade and telescoping shaft, flat blade surface for snow study use, and slotted for rescue sled construction. The metal blade features ice-cutting properties needed in a rescue, or for use to conduct slope stability tests.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Label on shaft "BLACK DIAMOND". Label near handle is ripped in two and part of the label is missing. What remains reads "DESIGNED B [torn off] USA/ MADE IN [torn off] AND".

Missing

Appears complete.

Finish

Non-ferrous, aluminum? metal, painted black. Some of the black paint has flaked off. Black synthetic moulded handle with silver duct tape wrapped around an area that has cracked. Black label with red print and another black label with white print.

Decoration

N/A