MSR Operator™ Backcountry & Basecamp Shovel

When you need to move snow fast, whether that's digging a rescue beacon search pit, constructing a basecamp, or excavating a snow pit for avalanche assessment, the MSR Operator is built to perform without slowing you down.

The blade is crafted from 6061-T6 hard-anodized aluminium with a TIG-welded blade and shaft interface and a neckless design, which means the connection point that typically fails on lesser shovels under hard use simply isn't there to fail. The flat chopping face delivers a solid, stable strike, and the serrated leading edge chews through consolidated snow and ice that a standard blade would bounce off. The flat back doubles as a smooth snow pit wall shaver or a stable platform for a camp stove, adding utility beyond pure digging.

Deployment is fast and tool-free, with a two-section non-rotational telescoping shaft and a quick lockpin that gets you digging without fumbling. The shaft's upper section fits into the blade for compact packing, and the handle options, a low-profile T-handle or a utilitarian D-handle, let you choose the grip that works best with your gloves and digging style. At under 1 lb 8 oz, it's a serious professional-grade backcountry shovel that carries like a lightweight one.

• Weight: 1 lb 8 oz (0.67 kg) D-handle / 1 lb 7 oz (0.66 kg) T-handle
• Extended length: 34.6 in (88 cm) D-handle / 33 in (84 cm) T-handle
• 6061-T6 hard-anodized aluminium construction
• TIG-welded blade and shaft interface, neckless blade design
• Serrated leading edge with flat chopping face
• Two-section non-rotational telescoping shaft with fast lockpin
• Available in D-handle and T-handle configurations
• Colour: Red

	D Handle	T Handle
SKU	03157	03159
Color	Red	Red
Country of Origin	Taiwan	Taiwan
Length (Metric)	88 cm	84 cm
Length (Standard)	34.6 in	33 in
Material(s)	Aluminum	Aluminum
Weight (Metric)	0.67 kg	0.66 kg
Weight (Standard)	1 lbs 8 oz	1 lbs 7 oz