Chouinard piton.

Chouinard piton Tom: Re your mention of Italian Chouinard Lost Arrows. Chouinard introduced an alternative: aluminum chocks that could be wedged by hand rather than hammered in and out of cracks. The "polycentric" hexentric was designed by Swedish–Norwegian climber Tomas Carlstrom and given to Chouinard Equipment in 1973. 01 shipping + ^ 6 & * P L] w K. The great advantage was considerable strength and security, easily re-usable and re-movable. “It’s just in my nature,” Chouinard says now, 55 years later. Alloy Bong, Bugaboo and Angle pitons released. Brand New. $15. Seems that fat, spiral toothed pitons first appeared on the mass alpine meets of the Soviet Union in the 1960’s when Russian mountaineers had little choice then but to use them since they were the only ones the state provided. 1960's - 70's, 20th century metal, wood, leather 12. The piton must have been wailed on…it’s cracked on one side just forward of the eye. ” In the 1975/1976 catalogue, the company introduced its own version, with sharper spiral ribs for greater holding power. Made in USA Vintage Wood Chouinard Rock Climbing Piton Hammer c. Feb 2, 2018 · Quality counts – From the first piton Yvon Chouinard made to the latest technologically driven clothing enhancement, Patagonia has pursued quality and relevance in its products. Some of our most prized items include old hemp climbing ropes, vintage Chouinard pitons, and hammers, Tricouni Hobnail mountain boots, Swiss military wooden ice axes, a Swiss military fur rucksack complete with 2 flasks, an ice axe, cookware, boot brushes, polish, weapon cleaning tools, sewing kit (31 buttons, thread, needles), extra leather Chouinard Angle Piton Rock Climbing Gear Big Wall, Lot of 2, Vintage 1980's RARE. Mar 23, 2016 · The largest of Chouinard Equipments pitons, these aluminum 4 inch Bongs were used when the climbing became wide and gnarly. Tom Frost, Doug Robinson Price: $500. Jan 14, 2013 · For Yvon Chouinard, the urge to transform climbing came quickly. 00. The metal shed, which remains part of Patagonia's headquarters campus, was recently Oct 14, 2015 · Early 1960’s Chouinard Knifeblade pitons from the personal rack of Steve Komito the well known Estes Park, Colorado cobbler and climber. com catalog No. 4 days ago · Chouinard had to exhale finally and separate the very high liability of Chouinard Equipment from the deep pockets of Patagonia. Tom Frost has told me that Yvon had a very hard time letting go of his namesake despite the obvious need so he wasn't really as disinterested as all that. Chouinard Equipment's first mail-order catalog came out - a one-page list of equipment and prices. Oct 24, 2023 · A climber could pound the half-inch tapering blade into a seam like the one on Kat’s Pinnacle, albeit leaving much of the metal protruding. 75"w x 1. 1966 Chouinard (hand forged) Piton - Rock Climbing, Mountain Rescue, Snow & Ice Climbing, Mountain Technology, Camping, Footwear, Clothing, Mountaineering, Ben Nevis - Journals Objects and Archives Apr 21, 2021 · I then nailed a thin vertical flake until I reached a roof where I placed a piton, which let me drop down a pendulum crack, which I nailed for 20 feet. $7. 05 Chouinard (hand forged) Piton - Rock Climbing, Mountain Rescue, Snow & Ice Climbing, Mountain Technology, Camping, Footwear, Clothing, Mountaineering, Ben Nevis - Journals Objects and Archives. Aluminium Bong. The story as sent to us by Jeff Selvig the climber who cleaned it: “Chad McMullen and I climbed the Dunn/Westbay route on The Diamond in August of 1994. Oct 4, 2016 · 1971 Chouinard Piton Hammer Vertical Archaeology has been fortunate in acquiring this fine example of an early Chouinard hammer and Dolt holster. They are produced Chouinard Angle Piton - USA Stamped - Black - Steel - 4 inch - Vintage Big Wall. They applied for a U. Since beaks were invented, the rurp has become fairly redundant. Nov 19, 2017 · The blade is tapered from the thick anvil and eye of the piton to its end where it’s very thin. However, rurps do have an advantage over beaks in horizontals or roof cracks. $43. Trevor Peck made a few different types of equipment but was better known for his “Cracker” chocks than his piton designs. 1961. 5 inches. It featured a heavy hammer head with no notch on the underside of the striking surface and a three bolt system for attaching a long curved alpine pick or a stubby crag pick. The two decided to phase out of the piton business even though it was their biggest source of income and the most-wanted gear in climbing. 1959. He, along with Hamish MacInnes, also refined ice axe design to better serve climbers on Stubai piton hammer with a rough cast finish but a quality shape similar to a Chouinard hammer. Whenever I look at a fork or anything, I think This metal piton found great favor for use by Yvon Chouinard. Prior to 1940s almost everything European. This is an old aluminum alloy "large bong" piton marked with a "C" in a diamond (manufactured by Chouinard if I remember correctly) and the initials "BH" stamped on the inside (my initials). Then Chouinard created the Super Long Dong nut tool as a nut tool. Realised Ultimate Reality Piton (RURP) developed. ?! N L | I / Q A $ Original Vintage Chouinard Zero Ice Axe A Chouinard Zero is the Rolls Royce of ice axes and 40 years after they were first produced folk still seek them out and pay a high price to own one. Original Vintage Chouinard Yosemite Hammer This Piton Hammer made by Chouinard Equipment has a beautiful brown handle. Carter and was given to me before a trip to the Mystery Towers in Utah, the last was a donation from a climber in Yvon Chouinard in his 1970's Pacific Ironworks catalogue explains:-"Lost Arrow PitonsThese "big wall" pitons are patterned after the original design of John Salathe and their consistent quality and reliability are made possible through the use of forging dies and expert hand blacksmithing. 1960. Vintage Wood Chouinard Climbing Piton Hammer/Pick metal, wood, leather 11. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Great Pacific Iron Works (USA), led by Yvon Chouinard and Tom Frost, produced complete sets of pitons—knifeblades, Lost Arrows, and angles (including bongs), and became the major piton supplier for the granite bigwall climbs around the world. The handle was made of a light-weight plastic composite and came in two sizes, 12 inches and 13. 1963. May 9, 2023 · The Chouinard/Salewa rigid crampons (top center) were made from strong 4130 steel and designed and manufactured by Tom Frost and Yvon Chouinard in the 1960s. or Best Offer +$18. 84 delivery Where a piton is necessary a fixed piton should be considered and documented in local guide books. In 1957, Chouinard began making reusable chrome-molybdenum steel climbing pitons himself to replace iron pitons that could be placed only once into rock. Hopefully, these piton scars need not grow. The items were purchased through eBay and usually that can be a pretty anonymous way to buy gear. Routes of 5. Horizontal Knifeblade piton launched. Reflecting a shift initiated by climbers in the UK, on the East Coast and elsewhere, this essay marks their switch from pitons to chocks in order to preserve the integrity of the Dec 17, 2018 · A set of pitons from the mid-20th century, including LEM, Charlet-Moser, Stubai and Chouinard Pitons are one of the oldest types of rock protection and were invented by the Victorians in the late 19th century. Whether because it couldn’t conceivably get any smaller, or because it represented decades of piton invention, Chouinard christened their design the Realized Ultimate Reality Piton (RURP). Chouinard Horizontal pitons c. 1 bid · Time left 3d 17h left (Sun, 06 Chouinard Lost Arrow Piton - Rock Climbing, Mountain Rescue, Snow & Ice Climbing, Mountain Technology, Camping, Footwear, Clothing, Mountaineering, Ben Nevis - Journals Objects and Archives A bong is basically a big piton. 1964. The HT nut tool gets its name from being "Heat Treated. [7] first Chouinard carabiner made. Vintage Chouinard Equipment Piton Hammer for Rock Climbing Made in USA. One of the biggest, was the very equipment the climbers were using, more specifically the pitons. One was written by Chouinard and Tom Frost; another was the beautiful ode by Doug Robinson titled "The Whole Natural Art of Protection". 34. ‘Bongs’ take their name from the noise they make when you are banging them into a crack. Masterpieces in design, having fair lines and functional shapes, these angles typify the high qualities of beauty in the Chouinard line of pitons. 23h 50m Dec 17, 2018 · Yvon Chouinard, who had been making pitons through his Chouinard Equipment brand for several years by then, introduced the aluminum chocks in his 1972 Chouinard Equipment/Great Pacific Iron Works catalog. 00 shipping. " Chouinard Bong Piton NEVER PLACED collectible rock climbing equipment vintage. Another important milestone occurred with the 1972 Chouinard Equipment Catalog, which included two articles on environmental concerns and climbing gear. The belief that perfection is attained when nothing can be taken from a product (originally put forth by a French aviator) continues to guide Patagonia’s Sep 16, 2022 · Chouinard and The Piton Climbing Yosemite brought with it a whole host of new challenges. New (Other) $40. Frost’s rigid crampon design (~1965), with horizontal front points. So Chouinard and his business partner Tom Frost decided to phase out of the piton business, despite the fact that it comprised 70% of the company’s business. Chouinard 1958 Horizontal piton YC Collection. In the 1970s, his Chouinard Equipment evolved into Patagonia, and he has grown it into one of the most successful companies in the history of the outdoor industry by continually defying conventional practices. Chouinard pulled the blade from the hot coals and began to shape the piton’s eye, using a chisel-like pin to poke a hole through the glowing hot steel. In 1957, he bought a second-hand coal-fired forge, and started making hardened steel pitons for use in Yosemite Valley. original 1960s-1970s chouinard steel angle piton signed by tommy caldwell THIS IS AN ORIGINAL 3/4', 1' OR 1 1/4' ANGLE WITH THE ORIGINAL DIAMOND C LOGO We collect old pitons, and have asked some of the great 1960s climbers who used this type of gear to sign original Chouinard Steel Pitons, mostly angles 3/4' to 2' and longer Lost Arrows, plus a May 3, 2010 · As a teenager, Chouinard got his start selling homemade rock climbing pitons out of the back of his car. 1957/1958--- Sometime between 1960 and 1963, the "Lost Arrow" name was given to the Original Vintage Chouinard Wart Hog Ice Piton. Feb 20, 2025 · Chouinard Nut Tools History shows climbers using the Chouinard Long Dong piton as a nut tool. This vintage Chouinard piton is one of a few old pitons that I quit using back in the 60's because I didn't feel that it was still dependable or safe. 25"l x 4. After a couple of trips to the grinder, he expanded the hole, then straightened the piton in a vise, pounding on it with a hammer. To take advantage of the tight settings re­sulting from piton holes a fine gradation of Hexes in the small to standard angle piton size range is provided. 0 bids. Feb 15, 2011 · The disfiguring was severe. or Best Offer. Mar 2, 2025 · Your stamp is on a pre 1965 angle piton when they were being cut and shaped by hand. pacrout0 (2) 100%. Pre-Owned. The only thing that stopped them becoming even more popular was technology, as they arrived just as wooden shafted axes were being replaced by stronger and An original Chouinard Lost Arrow piton SIGNED in silver marker by Fred Beckey and Conrad Anker (Photo is wrong. Chouinard moved Lost Arrow production from Ventura to the Interalp/Camp factory in Italy in CHOUINARD EQUIPMENT CATALOG 1972 By Chouinard, Yvon. Jan 14, 2013 · Within one year of roping up for the first time, the teenaged Chouinard was designing and making new climbing gear, hammering out pitons on a 138-pound anvil in his parents’ backyard. Three types of blade pitons are in common use today—Knifeblades, Bugaboos, and Lost Arrows. From its top, I traversed left and dropped Oct 4, 2016 · Chouinard produced this design in 1987. Right from the start 1960s-era pitons, including: knifeblades, lost arrows, bugaboos, ring angles, and bongs. Oct 4, 2016 · This Chouinard 3 inch bong piton was found on a great route on Longs Peak in the 1994. They were really an American thing, designed to fit in the big, wide, granite cracks of Yosemite (circa 1960) Someone finally realised you could stuff your hand in a crack that size and climb it without a bong. $250. The improved pitons were a big factor in the birth of big-wall climbing from 1957 to 1960 in Yosemite. Chouinard’s innovative, reusable steel pitons became popular amongst his fellow climbers as they didn’t have to be left behind in the rock. Aug 18, 2022 · This page will be updated (draft, jumping ahead a bit in my timeline…) Key concept: Starting in the late 1920s, American piton production began a steady evolution, piggybacking on new developments in the USA steel industry, leading to the high alloy steel pitons of the 1950s which in turn led to opening the doors of Yosemite’s big walls, and to visionary big wall climbing elsewhere on the Jun 11, 2015 · Scratched initially by the granite of a two-day ascent of the north-face of Quarter Dome, our “warm-up” wall, the hammer pounded out a nearly 100% piton 4-day ascent of the Nose. Made in Boulder, Colorado USA. Aug 2, 2023 · Chouinard’s pitons were so tough that they could be reused many dozens of times (saving money for dirtbag American climbers), and they enabled the El Cap climbers of the 1960s to put in new aid routes that demanded 400 to 500 piton placements while carrying only 40 to 45 pitons up the wall. Chouinard had been forging his own pitons since 1957. “I can’t help myself. The Super Long Dong is similar to the Dolt Nutcracker, but has a notch near the blade tip. Though Chouinard Equipment was, at the time, the country’s premier piton manufacturer, Chouinard and Frost saw firsthand the damage their pitons did to the rock. Die-forged Lost Arrow pitons. All are made by Black Diamond Equipment, America’s leading piton manufacturer, in the traditional styles designed by John Salathé and Yvon Chouinard. 7 difficulty were climbed 60 years ago in England. Where a piton is necessary a fixed piton should be considered and documented in local guide books. Opens in a new window or tab. 00 Detailed Product Description The 1972 Chouinard Equipment Catalog marked a watershed in climbing culture/technology by establishing a standard for clean climbing ethics in the United States. Of course, it always went along on the many other shorter training climbs we clawed up during our month stay. Wedged point. Length: 30 cmWidth: 12 cm Made in USA Vintageclimbing. patent in 1974 and it was granted on April 6, 1976. A piton (/ ˈ p iː t ɒ n /; also called pin or peg) in big wall climbing and in aid climbing is a metal spike (usually steel) that is driven into a crack or seam in the climbing surface using a climbing hammer, and which acts as an anchor for protecting the climber from falling or to assist progress in This metal piton found great favor for use by Yvon Chouinard. original 1960s-1970s chouinard steel angle piton signed by fred beckey and conrad anker We collect old pitons, and have asked some of the great 1960s climbers who used this type of gear to sign original Chouinard Steel Pitons , mostly angles 3/4' to 2' and longer Lost Arrows, plus a few Bugaboos and Knife Blades and Bongs. Warthog - drive in, screw out, ice pitons. Circa 1970s. Stoppers: “To place a nut you must begin by thinking about the shape of cracks. Feb 4, 2025 · Looking at Chouinard catalogs going back to 1965, there was never a number of placements statement. Komito has been a steady fixture of Colorado climbing for many years. ” —1972 Chouinard Equipment catalog. Shop Big Wall Climbing Gear | Black Diamond Equipment Apr 6, 2017 · This Chouinard 3 inch bong piton was found on a great route on Longs Peak in the 1994. P shaped. But Aug 13, 2014 · Chouinard Equipment began importing Salewa gear in May 1970, and Yvon Chouinard eventually christened the piton “the Wart Hog. An early classic example of American made mountain gear. The young man was Yvon Chouinard, and his company grew from sales out of his car, to the largest climbing equipment supplier in the world. He often partnered with Layton Kor (and others) on notable ascents throughout the state. By 1965, Tom Frost had entered the picture and dies were made to produce the flat outline of the angle from sheet alloy steel. Feb 25, 2024 · Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, uses a hammer in 2014 to make a piton in the old Ventura blacksmith shop. Between time spent surfing and climbing, he sold pitons out of the back of his car to support himself. One of ours came to us from an old El Paso County (Colorado) equipment cache, another came from Harvey T. [2] Hexes were produced by Chouinard Equipment, Ltd until 1989, when it was sold as a design to Black Diamond Equipment. 5" L handle x 7. 25"h © Vintage Winter A wonderfully Original Vintage Peck Piton Peck channel pitons were made in the mid to late 1960’s by Peck Climbing Company. or Best Offer +$4. By 1970 his company, Chouinard Equipment, was the premier climbing gear manufacturer in the United States, and pitons were by far its best-selling product. S. Made in Austria. Today the footholds on these routes are well polished, but because pitons have not been used the protection cracks are still in mint condition. Chuck Wilts successfully crafted thin knifeblade pitons from chromium-molybdenum alloy steel. USA MS Archive: 26: A uniquely shaped, light yet well-made Holubar piton hammer. Within one year of roping up for the first time, the teenaged Chouinard was designing and making new climbing gear, hammering out pitons on a 138-pound anvil in his parents’ backyard. Dec 9, 2004 · This made them perfect for long routes in Yosemite, where climbers would carry a rack of pitons, and place any one piton and remove it many times during the climb. However I can't speak for other early manufacturers like Dolt or Longware that made durable pitons. ) The 1972 Chouinard Catalog has the following useful product information about pitons. Original Vintage Chouinard Equipment Rurp Piton The rurp (Realised Ultimate Reality Piton) was originally designed to be hammered into hairline cracks. 25" L head © Vintage Winter A wonderfully preserved wooden handle piton Vintage Chouinard Piton Set -2 Pieces Rare Collectible Climbing pitons 1967. 025 EUR USD CAD INR GBP AUD JPY Mar 31, 2016 · Chouinard and his business partner Tom Frost climbed the nose of El Capitan and noticed the degradation on the rock that had not been there just a few summers before. rskf ouahgc svy ifn vsxjyrpz xmaczmm zyg wdto catv nnrly pmhrzw bax zelb iolpkbv yrr