Objects Database

Salewa Crampons (12 point)

Accession Number

844.2010.1

Object Name

Salewa Crampons (12 point)

Created

13/05/2010

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

13/05/2010

Brief Description

Set of Salewa crampons. 12 points. Black leather straps.

Materials

metal

Dimensions

32(l) x10(w) cms

Number Of Objects

1 set

Inscription Description

"SALEWA DBP MADE IN WEST GERMANY"

Colour

silver

Maker

Salewa

Object Production Place

W Germany

Provenance

German mountaineer, Herman Huber, created the first commercially produced adjustable crampon, in conjunction with Salewa, in 1961/62. He wanted a pair of crampons that he could easily adjust to fit both his climbing and ski mountaineering boots. Prior to this, crampons needed to be adjusted by heating and bending in a blacksmith's forge and there was no connection between the front points, which was rather un-nerving as the steeper ice faces began to be conquered.
Salewa were makers of leather goods - their name taken from Sattler und leder Waren (Saddler and Leather Goods), but were quick to see the commercial potential of the adjustable crampon so invested heavily in the metalwork side of things.
Blacks of Greenock and the Graham Tiso outdoor shop in Edinburgh were the first UK importers of the new Salewa adjustable crampon in the 1960's.
The pair we have here in the collection belonged to Mick Tighe's Mountain Guiding Company, Nevis Guides. Mick well remembers hours of crampon adjusting on the arrival of a new bunch of clients and mountain guides in the 1970's were part time mechanics since the bar that joined front and back sections of the crampon was forever breaking - usually half way up a climb in the freezing cold.
You'll find much earlier and later versions of crampons elsewhere in our collection, also the toolbox that was used to adjust and repair them in the 1980's.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

13/05/2010

Condition Check Date

13/05/2010

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

13/05/2010

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