The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
1284.2015.1
Carman Supergator
01/12/2015
Hermione Cooper
01/12/2015
Pair of Carman Supergators with zipped and press stud fastenings. Elasticated tops.
nylon
52(L) cms size 28
1 pair
"CARMAN SUPERGATOR" on label and a dragon logo
blue, cream
Chouinard
Seems like Pete Carman was an American climber/mountaineer of some repute who had a wee business going in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, making gaiters, packs and other outdoor gear, back in the 1970's. We think it was called Uptown Sewing.
It also seems like Pete was a pal of Yvon Chouinard, the rather better known American climber/mountaineer and gear maker. Somewhere along the line, Pete and Yvon got together with the Supergator thing which appears to have been Pete's creation ( hence the name Carman Supergator) ultimately benefitting from Yvon's manufacturing and marketing empire which at that time was called the Great Pacific Ironworks.
The dragon on the logo comes from a time when Chouinard was having gear made in Korea and Japan and we therefore assume these ones were made there too, though that's a calculated guess.
As usual there seems to have been many variations with front zips, back zips, fleece lining, wire round the bottom etc. And it seems there was a summer and winter version
This pair are probably from the mid 1970's and were kindly donated by our old mountain guide pal, Dave (Smiler) Cuthbertson.
Donated by Dave Cuthbertson
01/12/2015
01/12/2015
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
01/12/2015