1950 Viking Rope Booklet
Vertical Archaeology presents thisViking rope booklet for historical purposes only. The techniques presented, although sound, are dated and many are specific to the type of rope and equipment in use at the time. Ken...
Vertical Archaeology Blog
LONGware 3 Inch Bong
LONGware made both steel and aluminum bong pitons. The steel versions were often modified by drilling several holes in the sides of the piton, this would save weight and provide holes for tie-off slings. Our...
Dolt Pulley
Dolt produced this nice little pulley in the 1960s. It has swing sides to allow for loading the rope and a plastic wheel for smooth operation under load. Bill “Dolt” Feuerer gave all of his...
Salewa Griff Fifi Hook
Sometimes known as a handled fifi hook or a jug handle hook, this Salewa design was primarily used when the occasional aid move was required on mostly free ascents. The handle and large open hook...
Dolt Belay Seat
Originally purchased in 1972 by Ray Brooks, this DOLTSEAT belay seat has made appearances in several Supertopo vintage gear discussions. I recently acquired it from Mr. Brooks and would like to thank him for...
Mountaineering 1893
Lately I’ve been enjoying some great examples of early mountaineering literature. The tone of the writing and the subjects addressed are fascinating. Published in 1893, Mountaineering by Claude Wilson is a thorough exploration of...
C.M.I. Crack Tacks
These two Crack Tacks from CMI (Colorado Mountain Industries) are unopened original stock. The industry term for old but new retail merchandise is New Old Stock often shortened to NOS. It is interesting to...
B.A.T. Tent
This B.A.T. (Basically Absurd Technology) Tent was designed by Warren Harding for use on some of his pioneering big wall climbs. This model was sold in 1971 and is an interesting step in the design evolution of...
Bong Piton from the Dunn-Westbay Route on Longs Peak
This Chouinard 3 inch bong piton was found on a great route on Longs Peak in the 1994. The piton must have been wailed on…it’s cracked on one side just forward of the eye....
1938 Raffi Bedayan Photo
Raffi Bedayan (Bedayn) 1915-1982 Bedayn was a noted California climber active in the early days of the Sierra Club and as a board member of the American Alpine Club. He was on the first...