Shovel - keep it or ditch it?

[The Kisco Kid]

I'm an ultra lighter trying to shed some more weight. Shovel weights 1.2 ounces, should I keep it in my pack or get rid of it?Do you carry a shovel?

[hikerboy57]

not unless im planning on burying somebody.
dont need one.

[Ender]

It's handy, but not necessary as long as you still take the time and energy to properly dig a deep enough hole and bury your poop. It's harder using only sticks and your boots, but it still needs to be done, and isn't really all that much harder. I've stopped bringing my shovel, and make sure to take the time to dig a proper hole.

Pro tip: in a, um... "emergency rush situation"... ehem... you can always dig the hole afterwards and relocate your poop into it.

[atmilkman]

Later on it may prove its worth at the all you can eat buffets.

[Berserker]

I'm assuming this shovel is for digging a cathole to do your business. After having stepped on a big turd, and seeing many others in various areas I wish more people would carry a shovel cause apparently the sticks/boot method ain't working for some.

At any rate, I bought a titanium Big Dig from QiWiz (I think that's his username on WB...and I think he still sells them), and at 0.6 oz there's no reason not to carry a small shovel.

[OzJacko]

I have a tarptent and carry one large (light) plastic tent peg as well. I figure it can be a sand peg for one end of the TT and works pretty well at scratching a hole too.

[QiWiz]

I'm assuming this shovel is for digging a cathole to do your business. After having stepped on a big turd, and seeing many others in various areas I wish more people would carry a shovel cause apparently the sticks/boot method ain't working for some.

At any rate, I bought a titanium Big Dig from QiWiz (I think that's his username on WB...and I think he still sells them), and at 0.6 oz there's no reason not to carry a small shovel.

+1 Yup, still makin' em . . .

[RevLee]

I carry an MSR Blizzard tent stake. It digs well plus doubles as an extra stake for snow or soft soil. The weight is .7 oz.

[flemdawg1]

Plenty of other multipurpose things for digging catholes (sticks, spork, tent stake, trekking poles, etc). No need of for a shovel.

[Rocket Jones]

+1 on the tent snow stake.

[bigcranky]

I carry a snow stake (tent stake) that can dig a cathole through roots and rocks, and doubles as a spare tent stake.

[Spokes]

Ditch it. That's a car camping item.

[Kerosene]

I've never brought or needed a trowel in my 2000+ miles of east coast backpacking over 40 years. A rock, a stick, a tent stake have all served my infrequent needs.

[WingedMonkey]

My reply when this was asked in February:

Have had the same orange one for at least 20 years. It seldom stays home. I'm a bit of an explorer and use it to dig up rocks, or roots or plants or critters.
Or sometimes use it to destroy and spread those nasty fire rings that others leave in prime tent spots.
Get a lot more use out of it it than the swiss army knives and leatherman tools I have given away.

[WingedMonkey]

I should add, since you are an "utlralighter" of course you shouldn't carry one. Or any thing else that might add a gram to your life.

[max patch]

I should add, since you are an "utlralighter" of course you shouldn't carry one. Or any thing else that might add a gram to your life.

I think that many UL'ers get more enjoyment out of getting seeing how low they can get there pack weight down to than they do the actual hike.

[WingedMonkey]

I think that many UL'ers get more enjoyment out of getting seeing how low they can get there pack weight down to than they do the actual hike.

I'm not gonna open that can of worms. At least not without my shovel.

[SCRUB HIKER]

In the words of Bill Bryson:

"The orange spade in particular seemed to shout: “Greenhorn! Sissy! Make way for Mr. Buttercup!”"

I don't bring one mostly because Bill Bryson--Bill Bryson!--would call me a buttercup if I did. I use a tent stake or twigs for digging. An ultralighter really shouldn't be asking this question.

[rocketsocks]

Sure why not,get rid of the shovel,and use your chop sticks "in Lou of",and why your all about saving weight,get rid of the TP too,use leaves "in Lou of".

[peakbagger]

The majority of the AT is on ridgelines that contain lots of rocks surrounded by a little bit of soil. 95% of the time, excavating a hole is mostly pulling up rocks. As long as you dont use Iodine for water treatment (which give more than a few folks "the trots") ditch the shovel. If you decide you need one you find many discarded ones in hikers boxes (disgusting as that seems).