Vertical Archaeology Blog
Chouinard “Wire Style” Cleaning Tool
This Chouinard cleaning tool, or “nut pick” as it’s sometimes known, was produced in 1985 and was available for only one year. The steel wire was set in a light weight T handle and...
Fisher & Sons 1964 Catalog
This is the climbing specific portion on the 1964 Fisher & Sons equipment catalog. Also covered in the booklet are shelters, clothing, cookware, and many other items for mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts. Vertical Archaeology...
1952 Osborne Coinage Carabiners
Osborne Coinage 1952 Carabiner After some internet research and a half dozen emails to military historians, old company representatives, service veterans, and even eBay sellers; I finally have pieced together some information on a...
B.A.T. Hammock
Designed by Warren Harding and Roger Derryberry, the B.A.T.hammock and B.A.T.tent were two of the first commercially available bigwall bivy systems. The hammock hangs from a single point and has no built in adjustability....
Campbell Mountaineering catalog
Campbell Mountaineering put out this pamphlet in 1979 detailing the design and uses of their unique “wedgefast” and “saddlewedge” chocks. Their publication was fairly comprehensive and offered a good look at the state of...
Forrest Wall Womb Single Point Hammock
The following is from the 1983 Forrest Mountaineering catalog. The exact wording is offered for historic documentation only: Forrest Wall Womb Wall Womb Single Anchor Hammock The Forrest Wall Womb has become a standard...
Hard Step Etrier
Commonly called Stirrups, ladders, aid slings, steps… The word “etrier” (A-tree-A) is French for “stirrup” and reflects the origin of the concept. Etriers have evolved now to feature more steps, all webbing construction, and...
Salewa Hiebler Ascender
In 1961 Toni Hiebeler, Toni Kinshofer, Anderl Mannhardt, and Walter Almberger completed the first winter ascent of the North Face of the Eiger. They spent 6 cold March days trusting their lives to their...