Lumbar Pack/Shovel

I've been toying with this idea as a sidecountry alternative to skiing with a pack. Thinking about getting Lifelink poles to act as a probe and a lumbar pack big enough to accomodate a shovel and handle.

Anyone tried this? Any thoughts?

Probe poles are basically bogus as a rescue tool.  I ski with them, but also carry a real probe that is long enough to do the job and deploys quickly and hassle free.  Check out the life link sling blade?  It is a very minimal "pack" that will carry a shovel and probe and not much else.  It is very small and low profile and does it's job well. 

Before you trust your friend's life to probe poles, try using them as a probe in a field situation.  You'll get over that idea.  They take forever to assemble, they don't penetrate and remove well, and they are short.  

If you're looking for a trim way to pack, you can always use a couple of Voilé straps to attache the probe to your shovel handle and then use some webbing or cord like pack straps to sling the shovel over your shoulders.  

OK, probe poles suck. There's 100 bucks I don't need to spend. But has anyone tried either the Tourmarque cirque lumbar pack or one of those probe/shovel carry vests?

I have seen some vest packs that look pretty cool.  A few patrollers are using them and some freeriders as well.  The folks I've talked with like them.  I don't recall who makes them.  I would do sling blade or webbing as Bob Lee suggests. 

Lumbar packs, much like S.O.B. (small of back) holsters place hard steel in a very bad place, next to your vertebrate.

I wouldn't ski with either.....

Edited by Rossi Smash - 4/21/2009 at 03:05 pm GMT

I'm thinking that from the balance point of view the vest might be good.

http://www.planetjh.com/sports_recreation/A_102998.aspx

Thats the one I see in the Tram Line. 

Yeah, think I might have to get one of those.