Objects Database

Troll Bolting Kit

Accession Number

1343.2016.1

Object Name

Troll Bolting Kit

Created

31/07/2016

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

31/07/2016

Brief Description

nylon bag containing bolting kit of 4 bolts

Materials

nylon, plastic, metal

Dimensions

Bag - 22(L) x 14(W) cms

Number Of Objects

7

Inscription Description

"TROLL" "PARBA PRO"

Colour

silver, orange

Maker

Troll, Parba

Object Production Place

England

Provenance

Non climbers might be rather puzzled as to why climbers need bolts, indeed many climbers would be too; though while they are almost a thing of the past in the UK, the rock climbs and mountains of Europe are infested with them.
The type of bolt referred to here is a form of expansion bolt which requires a hole to be drilled in the rock before the bolt is placed in it with an attached hanger to clip a karabiner on a rock/cliff face where there are no natural cracks or fissures to progress other than by drilling holes and bolting.They are used prolifically on the huge glacial slabs in the Alpine regions of Europe for instance.
The set we have here in the collection dates from the 1970's when climbers were still drilling by hand. The driver would be hammered in with bolt attached and rotated so that the jaggy edges cut into the rock. A metal taper (not in this kit) is then placed in the hole to expand the bolt when screwed in. Though not exactly the same as ours, the illustration opposite shows how it works. Needless to say, perhaps, but cordless, electric drills soon rendered this technique obsolete.
Thanks to John Temple for donating this interesting piece of climbing history.

Acquisition Method

Donated by John Temple

Acquisition Date

31/07/2016

Condition Check Date

31/07/2016

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

31/07/2016

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