Forrest Mountaineering Triton

Forrest Mountaineering released the “Triton” in 1985. It’s a combination belay device/ chock/ rappel device derived from Forrests “Titon” line of climbing protection.

Bill Forrest seems to have taken the Titon idea and strengthened it with thicker stock and reinforcements of the “T” section. This piece works really well as a rappel device or belay plate but it is much heavier than modern units. I have used it several times and really like it for ropes 10.2 mm or thicker which are similar in size to the standard types used in the middle 1980s. With thinner ropes rappelling feels less secure and I found myself using friction from my leg and brake hand to compensate for the “slick” feel of the Triton.

Its effectiveness as a chock depends on how you view the effectiveness of the Titon concept in general. For placing the Triton you would need the perfect size placement for the single size this piece came in. The thicker stock would make it stronger in the perfect tapered placement but might hinder the slight camming action Titons were known for.