Ring pitons were one of the earliest forms of rock protection. They pre-dated karabiners, utilising the ring to thread the climbing rope through. Early climbers often threaded several through their rope before they set off, hammered the pitons in and uncoiled the rope as they progressed. Rings were also ideal for abseiling, the rope being easy to pull through once you were off the abseil. This led to many remaining in-situ on popular climbs, particularly on Alpine peaks.

Dating from way back in the 1930s these two were rusting away in our piton graveyard, so we gave them a little TLC and they are now looking very smart.

NB Our original listing here was a single, rather rusty, Stubai piton. These two guys have improved the show somewhat.