Artifact Archive

Chouinard Mountaineer's Ax

In 1966 Yvon Chouinard revolutionized the curved ice ax for climbing. He developed a longer shaft with a dramatically curved pick. He said, "A curve compatible with the arc of the ax's swing would allow the pic to stay better in the ice." His idea worked and began a revolution in ice ax design known as the "curve-a-lution." This mountaineer's ax was used and donated by Zac Hoyt and is currently on display in the special exhibit, "Devil's Thumb," at the Clausen Museum through October.

Information and photos for this column are provided by the Clausen Memorial Museum....