At PurePeak we would like to address the recent discussion on Instagram concerning our avalanche shovels, following comments by Cody Townsend and Nikolai Schirmer about reported shovel failures. We are committed to developing and producing reliable equipment for mountain environments, and we take feedback and reports concerning our products seriously. We would therefore like to clarify the timeline, production process and applicable safety standards.
Product testing and timeline explanation
During the initial production phase, PurePeak manufactured three shovels using prototype moulds made from gelcoat and carbon-fibre laminate. Two were sent to Cody Townsend and Nikolai Schirmer and are the subject of the current discussion. Our records show that the shovels were shipped to Nikolai on 17 September 2024 and to Cody on 2 October 2024 — approximately two years before the Instagram discussion in October 2026, rather than one year as stated in one of the Instagram stories.
Nikolai reported that his shovel broke while he was digging through a snow cornice. Although the public discussion included claims that a shovel broke on the first day or within the first one or two days of use, correspondence from January and April 2025 indicates that Nikolai had used his shovel throughout the season and that it had worked well for other tasks before the breakage. The exact number of days of use is not established by the available records.
Changes in regular production
For regular production, PurePeak switched to production-grade aluminium moulds, which allow the manufacturing process to operate at higher pressures. These process conditions can influence the quality of the finished product. However, the precise cause of the issues reported with the two prototype-mould units has not been established. Potential contributing factors could include mould-release agents, temperature, material, or human error, but none of these has been confirmed as the cause.
PurePeak subsequently manufactured 500 shovels using the regular production process. According to our records, no comparable failures have been reported for these production units.
Product safety and UIAA Standard 156
Safety is central to the design and development of avalanche rescue equipment. PurePeak’s regular production shovel is certified to UIAA Standard 156 for Avalanche Rescue Shovels. This standard, developed by the UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation), establishes safety requirements and testing methods for shovels intended for avalanche rescue and training. The certification is an important part of the product’s safety framework. It does not, however, remove the importance of taking reports of product failures seriously or assessing the circumstances of any reported incident.
We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety, and ensuring the satisfaction of our customers.