The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
1213.2015.1
Friend -(anodised)
15/01/2015
Hermione Cooper
15/01/2015
Size 2, spring loaded solid stemmed camming device.
anodised steel
14(l) x 4.5(w) x 5(d) cms
1
silver
Wild Country
England
Russian Mountaineer, Vitaly Abalokov, is credited with inventing the first spring loaded camming device though it was American climber, Ray Jardine, who perfected the idea and invented/ created the 'friend' in 1978. The story goes that whilst he and his climbing partner were experimenting with prototype camming devices in America's Yosemite Valley, other climbers appeared for a chat. Not wishing to give the game away when sorting their gear, Jardine asked his mate if he'd brought his 'friends' along with him - the name stuck.
Though patented initially in America, it was the UK based company, Wild Country, who began manufacturing 'Friends' back in 1977/78, initially with the solid stem version and later with the Flexible and Helium type - we're told there is a new one on the way in 2016..
Though 'Friends' has become the generic term for all camming devices there are plenty of other versions around; The Black Diamond Camalot being one of the more popular ones.
Doug Lee
15/01/2015
15/01/2015
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
15/01/2015