Objects Database

Chouinard hexentrics

Accession Number

979.2012.1(a-d)

Object Name

Chouinard hexentrics

Created

15/02/2012

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

15/02/2012

Brief Description

Four irregular hexagonal shaped chocks on rope slings.

Materials

aluminium alloy?

Dimensions

7,6,5,4(l) x 5,4,3,2(w) cms

Number Of Objects

4

Inscription Description

On three " HEXENTRIC USA 9,8,6" and a diamond with "C" inside. ON the other one "INTERALP CAMP HEXENTRIC 7 ITALY" and the diamond with "C" inside.

Colour

silver

Maker

Chouinard

Object Production Place

USA

Provenance

Very few items of mountaineering equipment have stood the test of time as well as these Chouinard Hexentrics which were granted a US patent in 1976 and are still much used by rock climbers in 2012 and will be, we suspect, for some time to come.
Hexes, as they are affectionately known, were invented by American climbers Yvon Chouinard and Tom Frost, who took a standard hexagonal shape and 'offset' it a little to make it wedge better in rocky cracks - like most good things in life - very simple and very effective. Chouinard sold out to a company called Black Diamond in 1989 and they continued with the successful formula into the new millenium and look like carrying on for a bit yet.
Check out some of the gear in the related items below for more info, and our rock climbing section in general for background.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

15/02/2012

Condition Check Date

15/02/2012

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

15/02/2012

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