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Top rope climbing in the 1970s

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Top rope rock climbing in the 1970s

Old climbing buddies of mine, during their continuing canoe and road trip in Canada, sent this historic post card image of five top rope climbers and their belayers for our web. This looks like the group we always tried to find at the crags in Southern California during the 1970s. I am sure they are not part of the notorious East Coast pioneer rock climbing Club, "The Vulgarians", because of their total modesty in front of the camera. Note that in the 70's bolts are no where to be seen; the top ropes were set from the top of the cliff and the routes look rather basic. They do not have chalk bags because they are climbing "clean", very popular at the time.

However, they do have harnesses and hats. Read more about harnesses in the 1972 Chouinard Catalog where they were first introduced to America
--On Belay! Bob Speik

Copyright© 2000-2012 by Robert Speik. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

    WARNING - *DISCLAIMER!*
Mountain climbing has inherent dangers that can in part, be mitigated

 

 

Read More
Who are the notorious Vulgarians?

   Notable mountain climbing accidents revisited 
   The Sport of Alpine Mountaineering
   Climbing Together 
   Following the Leader 
   The Mountaineer's Rope
   Basic Responsibilities
   The Ten Essential Systems

   Our Mission 

 


South, Middle, and North Sister, (the sinister sister) and Broken Top, about 25 miles west of Bend, Oregon
Copyright© 2005-2012 by Robert Speik. All Rights Reserved.