A quick check on our website shows that we have 32 different types of ice screw in the collection in 2015 and we’re sure there are a lot more out there still to be gathered. There has been some discussion over the years about a collective term for various items of equipment – collective, as in a herd of cows, a flock of sheep etc. – and perhaps a collection of ice screws could be called a ‘thread’ – suggestions on a postcard or e-mail! Ice screws started to appear in the 1960’s and were little more than a heavyweight corkscrew. Indeed, they were used as such at climbers’ parties up and down the land. As is usual a plethora of varieties followed and the one we have here in the collection was one of them, though as it has no markings or maker’s name, we are pretty much in the dark as to its origins. We do know that it came from America since fellow collector, Art McCarthy, sent it over from California. It looks like a drive in, screw out type and we suspect it dates from the 1980/90’s. An intriguing addition to the collection whatever!