Chouinard piton S. Length: 30 cmWidth: 12 cm Made in USA Vintageclimbing. Between time spent surfing and climbing, he sold pitons out of the back of his car to support himself. The great advantage was considerable strength and security, easily re-usable and re-movable. They applied for a U. Vintage Wood Chouinard Climbing Piton Hammer/Pick metal, wood, leather 11. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Mar 2, 2025 · Your stamp is on a pre 1965 angle piton when they were being cut and shaped by hand. 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. One of ours came to us from an old El Paso County (Colorado) equipment cache, another came from Harvey T. 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. 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. Chouinard 1958 Horizontal piton YC Collection. 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. 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. 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. 00. 1957/1958--- Sometime between 1960 and 1963, the "Lost Arrow" name was given to the Original Vintage Chouinard Wart Hog Ice Piton. 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. But Aug 13, 2014 · Chouinard Equipment began importing Salewa gear in May 1970, and Yvon Chouinard eventually christened the piton “the Wart Hog. 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. All are made by Black Diamond Equipment, America’s leading piton manufacturer, in the traditional styles designed by John Salathé and Yvon Chouinard. $250. USA MS Archive: 26: A uniquely shaped, light yet well-made Holubar piton hammer. Realised Ultimate Reality Piton (RURP) developed. An early classic example of American made mountain gear. Circa 1970s. One was written by Chouinard and Tom Frost; another was the beautiful ode by Doug Robinson titled "The Whole Natural Art of Protection". Chuck Wilts successfully crafted thin knifeblade pitons from chromium-molybdenum alloy steel. “I can’t help myself. Warthog - drive in, screw out, ice pitons. 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. com catalog No. They are produced Chouinard Angle Piton - USA Stamped - Black - Steel - 4 inch - Vintage Big Wall. 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. 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. Feb 20, 2025 · Chouinard Nut Tools History shows climbers using the Chouinard Long Dong piton as a nut tool. 75"w x 1. Die-forged Lost Arrow pitons. 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. 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. New (Other) $40. Three types of blade pitons are in common use today—Knifeblades, Bugaboos, and Lost Arrows. The items were purchased through eBay and usually that can be a pretty anonymous way to buy gear. He often partnered with Layton Kor (and others) on notable ascents throughout the state. Masterpieces in design, having fair lines and functional shapes, these angles typify the high qualities of beauty in the Chouinard line of pitons. 1960. Made in USA Vintage Wood Chouinard Rock Climbing Piton Hammer c. Alloy Bong, Bugaboo and Angle pitons released. Original Vintage Chouinard Equipment Rurp Piton The rurp (Realised Ultimate Reality Piton) was originally designed to be hammered into hairline cracks. “It’s just in my nature,” Chouinard says now, 55 years later. 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. 05 Chouinard (hand forged) Piton - Rock Climbing, Mountain Rescue, Snow & Ice Climbing, Mountain Technology, Camping, Footwear, Clothing, Mountaineering, Ben Nevis - Journals Objects and Archives. Komito has been a steady fixture of Colorado climbing for many years. 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. Chouinard Equipment's first mail-order catalog came out - a one-page list of equipment and prices. 34. 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. 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. 1964. Tom: Re your mention of Italian Chouinard Lost Arrows. The piton must have been wailed on…it’s cracked on one side just forward of the eye. 00 shipping. Right from the start 1960s-era pitons, including: knifeblades, lost arrows, bugaboos, ring angles, and bongs. Today the footholds on these routes are well polished, but because pitons have not been used the protection cracks are still in mint condition. Wedged point. From its top, I traversed left and dropped Oct 4, 2016 · Chouinard produced this design in 1987. $7. Where a piton is necessary a fixed piton should be considered and documented in local guide books. Aluminium Bong. 1961. Chouinard moved Lost Arrow production from Ventura to the Interalp/Camp factory in Italy in CHOUINARD EQUIPMENT CATALOG 1972 By Chouinard, Yvon. 5" L handle x 7. 1960's - 70's, 20th century metal, wood, leather 12. In 1957, he bought a second-hand coal-fired forge, and started making hardened steel pitons for use in Yosemite Valley. Another important milestone occurred with the 1972 Chouinard Equipment Catalog, which included two articles on environmental concerns and climbing gear. 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. The HT nut tool gets its name from being "Heat Treated. 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. [2] Hexes were produced by Chouinard Equipment, Ltd until 1989, when it was sold as a design to Black Diamond Equipment. Frost’s rigid crampon design (~1965), with horizontal front points. 1963. Nov 19, 2017 · The blade is tapered from the thick anvil and eye of the piton to its end where it’s very thin. 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. 1959. ” In the 1975/1976 catalogue, the company introduced its own version, with sharper spiral ribs for greater holding power. 84 delivery Where a piton is necessary a fixed piton should be considered and documented in local guide books. 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. 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. Made in Austria. 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). Opens in a new window or tab. The Super Long Dong is similar to the Dolt Nutcracker, but has a notch near the blade tip. 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). 01 shipping + ^ 6 & * P L] w K. 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. Chouinard Horizontal pitons c. 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. Routes of 5. Prior to 1940s almost everything European. 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. Oct 4, 2016 · This Chouinard 3 inch bong piton was found on a great route on Longs Peak in the 1994. pacrout0 (2) 100%. 4 days ago · Chouinard had to exhale finally and separate the very high liability of Chouinard Equipment from the deep pockets of Patagonia. Horizontal Knifeblade piton launched. Feb 15, 2011 · The disfiguring was severe. Feb 25, 2024 · Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, uses a hammer in 2014 to make a piton in the old Ventura blacksmith shop. patent in 1974 and it was granted on April 6, 1976. 25"l x 4. 25" L head © Vintage Winter A wonderfully preserved wooden handle piton Vintage Chouinard Piton Set -2 Pieces Rare Collectible Climbing pitons 1967. 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. Since beaks were invented, the rurp has become fairly redundant. or Best Offer +$4. 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. 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. In 1957, Chouinard began making reusable chrome-molybdenum steel climbing pitons himself to replace iron pitons that could be placed only once into rock. 0 bids. Original Vintage Chouinard Yosemite Hammer This Piton Hammer made by Chouinard Equipment has a beautiful brown handle. Hopefully, these piton scars need not grow. [7] first Chouinard carabiner made. Feb 4, 2025 · Looking at Chouinard catalogs going back to 1965, there was never a number of placements statement. 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. Then Chouinard created the Super Long Dong nut tool as a nut tool. Chouinard introduced an alternative: aluminum chocks that could be wedged by hand rather than hammered in and out of cracks. 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. ?! 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. 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. ” —1972 Chouinard Equipment catalog. The handle was made of a light-weight plastic composite and came in two sizes, 12 inches and 13. Trevor Peck made a few different types of equipment but was better known for his “Cracker” chocks than his piton designs. 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. ) The 1972 Chouinard Catalog has the following useful product information about pitons. Whenever I look at a fork or anything, I think This metal piton found great favor for use by Yvon Chouinard. Pre-Owned. However, rurps do have an advantage over beaks in horizontals or roof cracks. Jan 14, 2013 · For Yvon Chouinard, the urge to transform climbing came quickly. $43. Of course, it always went along on the many other shorter training climbs we clawed up during our month stay. 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. ‘Bongs’ take their name from the noise they make when you are banging them into a crack. Stoppers: “To place a nut you must begin by thinking about the shape of cracks. 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. 5 inches. or Best Offer +$18. " Chouinard Bong Piton NEVER PLACED collectible rock climbing equipment vintage. However I can't speak for other early manufacturers like Dolt or Longware that made durable pitons. $15. Made in Boulder, Colorado USA. The "polycentric" hexentric was designed by Swedish–Norwegian climber Tomas Carlstrom and given to Chouinard Equipment in 1973. By 1965, Tom Frost had entered the picture and dies were made to produce the flat outline of the angle from sheet alloy steel. 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. The improved pitons were a big factor in the birth of big-wall climbing from 1957 to 1960 in Yosemite. 7 difficulty were climbed 60 years ago in England. 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. Brand New. Vintage Chouinard Equipment Piton Hammer for Rock Climbing Made in USA. Chouinard had been forging his own pitons since 1957. One of the biggest, was the very equipment the climbers were using, more specifically the pitons. P shaped. Chouinard’s innovative, reusable steel pitons became popular amongst his fellow climbers as they didn’t have to be left behind in the rock. sgxn qgs tpjplg poltla vqk smgh xal cwx umc yqxm udwc agamims wqkd xkiqd gkzil