Abstract: A portable ground thawing system for excavating Shovel Test Pits (STPs) includes a cylindrical heat chamber having an open bottom and a closed top. A charging inlet is disposed on one side and a flue is on the other. An adjustable baffle is stationed in the flue. A salamander style heater is positioned to emit a stream of hot gas through the charging inlet, creating a swirling internal current of hot gas that loops through an internal heat loft. The heat loft provides both radiant heat properties as well as supports convection via the gas current that sweep across the frozen ground before exiting the flue. Electricity to power the heater is supplied by a generator. The method of use includes orienting the heat chamber so that its charging inlet is leeward and its flue is windward relative to the prevailing wind direction.