Objects Database

Forrest Mountaineering Titons

Accession Number

1128.2014.1

Object Name

Forrest Mountaineering Titons

Created

13/05/2014

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

13/05/2014

Brief Description

Various sized Forrest Mountaineering Titons

Materials

metal

Dimensions

2.5,4.5,5.5 and 7(l) cms

Number Of Objects

5

Inscription Description

Forrest Mountaineering logo...a tree with fm inside. Sizes T3,6,6,7.8.

Colour

green, gold, grey, silver

Maker

Forrest Mountaineering

Object Production Place

USA

Provenance

Founder of The Scottish Mountaineering Heritage Collection, Mick Tighe, got a deal going in 2013 with a fellow collector of old climbing gear over in California called Art McCarthy. Mick had some surplus gear and so did Art so they decided to swap. These Forrest Mountaineering Titons were part of that first consignment of gear that Art sent over.We thought this Forrest Mountaineering timeline would help tell the story for us.
Forrest Mountaineering History

Profile
1968- Bill Forrest starts business in basement in Denver, Colorado producing one of the first commercial sewn harnesses, a combination of Swami belt and leg loops.
1969- develops the Copperhead, a nut of malleable copper (or aluminium) swaged onto a single steel cable. Ray Jardlne rents a room in Bill Forrest's house and does some design work for Forrest Mountaineering.
1970- develops the Foxhead,a pyramidal nut in either aluminium or plastic.
Daisy Chain - adjustable anchor line
1971- Single Anchor Hammock - supsenslon bivouac shelter.
1972- first use of solid flbreglass in handle of a mountaineering tool.
1973- Ray Jardlne uses the Forrest workshop to prototype his 'Friends' spring loaded camming device.
Develops the Titon with Kris Walker, a T shaped nut (steel in small sizes and aluminium in larger sizes)
1974- develops the Arrowhead, a very slim copper-based nut.
Forrest Haul Bags
1975- the famed Mjoilner Hammer, with interchangeable picks.
Ice Axes with twisted adze for greater strength.
1976- Rabbit Runner - first runner sling with sewn end loops
1977- Bam Nut tool
1978- Gaiters - first with neoprene arch strap
1980- Llfeline Ice Axe - interchangeable picks and warranties.
First womens specific harness ?
1981- Ultimate Sit Harness-first adjustable sit harness with singles pass buckles and elastisized butt bands
1982- develops P-Nuts, a wire swaged half moon of steel
1983- Fall-Arrest - shock absorbing runner said to offer 300% increase in margin of safety.
1985- releases the Triton, a combination nut, belay plate and abseil/rappel device
Bill Forrest sells company to Olsen Industries and
sets up business, ForrestSmith (with partner) to develop a new snowshoe design.
After unveiling the design, MS-R offer to buy the rights to the design, and hire him to work on their snowshoe line.
1995- MSR release a new snowshoe in moulded plastic that was conceived by Bill Forrest.
Bill Forrest works as R&D manager for MSR

So another fine little piece of rock climbing history to add to our collection - thanks Art.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Art McCarthy

Acquisition Date

13/05/2014

Condition Check Date

13/05/2014

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

13/05/2014

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