Objects Database

Wooden Wedge

Accession Number

1251.2015.1

Object Name

Wooden Wedge

Created

03/06/2015

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

03/06/2015

Brief Description

Wooden wedge with man made cord threaded through it.

Materials

wood, nylon

Dimensions

16(l) x 7(w) x 6(d) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Colour

brown

Provenance

First climbed in 1966 by Rusty Baillie, Chris Bonnington and Dr Tom Patey on the 8th/9th July, the Old Man of Hoy was the subject of a spectacular BBC outside broadcast the following year. At a height of 449ft (137m) the Old Man is Britain's tallest sea-stack and a much sought after prize for rock climbers from around the world.
Rock climbing techniques were rather more primitive back in 1966 than they are today and to ensure safe progress on the big second pitch of the climb, lead climber, Rusty Baillie, banged wooden wedges into the sandstone cracks. 49 years later, founder of our heritage collection, Mick Tighe, managed to retrieve one of these wedges when he was climbing the Old Man as part of his work as a mountain guide.
Interestingly, metal pitons that were also used on these early ascents have long since rusted away in the salt sea air whereas the wood and nylon cord have stood the test of time, albeit this particular wedge was buried way back in a very sheltered crack.
We can't be 100% sure that this is one of Rusty's wedges since some were used during the subsequent TV spectacular in 1967, though as few, if any, wedges were used subsequent to this, it's pretty certain that the wedge is of a 1966 or 1967 vintage.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

03/06/2015

Condition Check Date

03/06/2015

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

03/06/2015

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