Leashless is NOT new!

[David_Parker]

Leashless climbing must have begun way back in the 50's when the hardmen were first learning steep ice climbing. Here's proof! On ebay.....

Edited November 23, 2004 by David_Parker

[nalo]

ummm what is that thing? And if it was used for climbing, how do we know it wasn't used with a removable leash? I'm not convinced.

[Stemalot]

bid on it and take it with you the next time you go ice climbing

[David_Parker]

They should make a scary movie with this "weapon". Hey, lets buy it and give it to glassgowkiss. That would be scary!

[Figger_Eight]

That thing looks like a prop from "Braveheart"!

[Don_Serl]

Leashless climbing must have begun way back in the 50's when the hardmen were first learning steep ice climbing.

 

funny story: when they were both young and still living in Victoria, Greg Foweraker and Peter Croft decided to try out ice climbing one winter when it was very cold and there were drools on the cliffs at Fleming Beach (local bouldering area). they borrowed a couple wooden shafted ice axes from someone and away they went. of course, there were no leashes of any sort on the tools, so Peter gets up about 15 feet, pumps out, loses his grip, and plummets back to the bottom - with both tools still solidly in place in the flow above. maybe we've made some progress after all...

 

come to think of it, i also recall a similar incident involving Laurie Skreslet on a route. maybe you had to undergo some 'rite' of this sort to become a great climber.

 

and there were various means of coping too - special tape, klister, whatever. sheesh...

 

cheers,

[Stemalot]

Fleming Beach actually had ice before? hum...must have been a long time ago. would love to see that one day.

[fern]

I recall a similar will gadd(?) story except in his case he was wearing over-sized boots, so not only did the axes remain in place post-plummet, but the crampons with boots attached did too.