Objects Database

Clog skyhooks

Accession Number

1684.2022.1

Object Name

Clog skyhooks

Created

02/09/2022

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

02/09/2022

Brief Description

Clog skyhooks with chisel point,curved hook and one hole.

Materials

chrome molybdenum steel

Dimensions

9.5,10,7,5(L) x 3.5,1.5,3,3(W) cms

Number Of Objects

4

Inscription Description

"CLOG 1" "CLOG 3" "CLOG" "CLOG WALES" Two have an elipse round Clog

Colour

black

Maker

Clog

Object Production Place

Wales

Provenance

Clogwyn climbing gear started life in Deiniolen, North Wales in 1966 under the ownership of Denny Moorehouse and Shirley Smith. With the name being shortened to Clog they began making pitons out of molybdenum steel, the first in the UK.
Other products followed including these skyhooks produced for the artificial/ aid climbing fraternity at a time when it was all the rage - modern climbing techniques and equipment have since consigned this style of climbing pretty much to the history books though big wall climbers still practice the dark art.
Designed to hook over a small flake or rugosity, these safety devices offered limited protection where no cracks or fissures presented themselves for pitons or chocks and as one climber noted:-
“They are perfectly safe but you wouldn’t catch me using one!”
Climbers often used plasticine or putty to hold them in place, they also weighted and taped them down to stop lifting off.
We’ve collected these four together from various sources, two are very early versions circa 1968/69 which have the Clog logo without an eclipse.

Acquisition Date

02/09/2022

Condition Check Date

02/09/2022

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

02/09/2022

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