How old is this crampon?

vftt.org

Help Support vftt.org:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
sierra

sierra

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 13, 2004
Messages
3,295
Reaction score
391
Location
New hampshire
As I emerged from the scrub on the Lions head winter route, I went off trail to go to the BR. I found this crampon, it appears to be old, any guesses?
 
I have been using new-old-stock Vietnam-era Army fatigues from the 70's; they use identical webbing for their cinch-straps (instead of a belt) and thigh straps.

So, my guess is that whatever you have there is from that era. Would you call that a data point?
 
sierra said:
As I emerged from the scrub on the Lions head winter route, I went off trail to go to the BR. I found this crampon, it appears to be old, any guesses?
Click to expand...

They are definately older than the newest and newer than the oldest.

All About Crampons said:
Crampons were used thousands of years ago by early paleo-mountaineers, who needed traction to cross steep mountain slopes in pursuit of game. Almost 3,000 years ago, Celtic miners used iron spikes on their feet while hunters in the Russian Caucasus made leather sandals with spiked plates for snow travel. The Arch of Constantine, built in 315 A.D. by the Romans, depicts an early crampon-like device used for ice traction. By the 1500s hunters and mountain travelers in Europe wore four-point forefoot crampons in the Alps.
Click to expand...

My guess is that they are actually relatively new army surplus bought and lost by someone starting out.
 
I was looking for that. I lost it a few weeks ago. Quite the dangerous walk out after....

You trying to tell me I need to upgrade my gear?
 
You could actually buy this type new in hunting/fishing stores up until a few years ago (maybe even still today?). The straps are older though, and do suggest they were military surplus from time periods suggested.

You can still buy em it looks util recently: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/...mbination-toe-heel-ice-creepers.aspx?a=242818

They came in a box that looked liked this (this is the heel-only version): http://compare.ebay.com/like/300602805151

Here they are if you want to buy some: http://www.marine-engine-parts.com/ice.html
 
Last edited:
I have seen people actually wearing those but not in this century
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Winter is Back
Replies
1
Views
655
Andrew
A
P
Crawford Notch Detour
Replies
5
Views
840
peakbagger
P
P
Looking like another wet one on Monday
Replies
2
Views
440
Ken MacGray
K
D
1984 Osseo Route?
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
dokipen
D
sierra
Mt.Paugus
Replies
4
Views
536
sierra
sierra

Latest posts

Top