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Tamara Robbins
climber
not a climber, just related...
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 14, 2015 - 09:46pm PT
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Thanks, everyone! T.Hocking, if that is in fact one of mom's I'd love to take you up on offer... Love this forum community and am grateful for the connections here.
As for the gratitude expressed towards dad (and mom), be assured that it reaches their ears (or eyes). They are doing better than could be expected and continue to inspire me. Anyone wishing to contact them, please feel free to email me and trust that it will be forwarded along!
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Apr 14, 2015 - 11:03pm PT
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I have a red one just like the thawkins photo above. Bought in the mid '70s either in the valley or in Telluride where Robbins lived at the time. I don't know who the maker was... but I'd say not a prototype. Looks factory made. Fits in a back pocket as mentioned above.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Apr 15, 2015 - 12:12am PT
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I still have my original Robbins belay seat, sold by Chouinard Equipment, and purchased in 1969. I ended up sewing a somewhat burlier replacement a few years later, but I couldn't stand to give up the original.
John
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Roger Breedlove
climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
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Apr 15, 2015 - 03:29am PT
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Hi Tamara,
This picture of me and Kevin Worrall was taken in 1973 on the first ascent of "Freewheeling" on the north face apron of MCR. George Meyers took the picture. I think I bought my butt bag a year or two before.
Say hi to your mom and dad.
This is Kevin at the same belay.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Apr 15, 2015 - 07:12am PT
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As soon as I saw one I shamelessly copied it on mom's sewing machine. Still have it somewhere.
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norm larson
climber
wilson, wyoming
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Apr 15, 2015 - 07:33am PT
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When we were wearing swami's with no leg loops they were a huge step up in comfort. Now with a good harness not so much.
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PhilG
Trad climber
The Circuit, Tonasket WA
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Apr 15, 2015 - 07:46am PT
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Spent a night in a belay seat when we failed to make the bivy ledge on Middle Cathedral Rock.
Long Night!
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Roots
Mountain climber
Tustin, CA
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Apr 15, 2015 - 07:57am PT
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I have a red one too, like pictured on the first page. No markings of any kind. I'll try and get it out this weekend.
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tolman_paul
Trad climber
Anchorage, AK
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Apr 15, 2015 - 09:21am PT
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Hmmm. I have one in the bottom of some gear bin, somewhere.
I suspect that is the answer to your question. They're a hassle to deal with. Modern harnesses provide a lot of the comfort missing from swami belts. Wall climbers prefer to sit on their portaledges, as well.
DMT
Yup, I have a blue Chouinard one at the bottom of a gear bag somewhere and I don't recall ever using it due to the comfort of modern harnesses.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Apr 15, 2015 - 09:53am PT
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Tamara- Are you writing something in connection with this request for information or are you simply curious?
I have scans of Tom's photos in a working binder for our book which are low resolution so if you need better resolution images I can help with that.
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Barbarian
climber
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Apr 15, 2015 - 10:00am PT
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I was puttering around in the garage last night and came across mine. I thought it had disappeared years ago. I'll take a closer look at it when I get home this evening.
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eeyonkee
Trad climber
Golden, CO
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Apr 15, 2015 - 02:30pm PT
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I was just going to look for a butt bag at Neptune Mountaineering after work today. I've come to realize that, anymore, I get more sore from belaying than just about anything else after a day of climbing. Didn't realize that they were so hard to find. Might be hitting up the Fish.
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Tamara Robbins
climber
not a climber, just related...
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 15, 2015 - 04:23pm PT
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Steve - it's for an upcoming article in Outside, which from what I gather is a broadscope "history of gear innovations" in various sports. These days I am sort of a clearinghouse for media requests of mom and dad....
This one particularly struck my fancy, as the plethora of history related to the various business entities we had has seemed to be of far less interest to others than it is to me! ;)
I think it would be awesome if they ran a page with a compilation of old ads....
Anyhoot, that is what sparked the question - coupled with the fact that I had no idea mom had made the seat or hammock (and also apparently some of first loop ascenders). She even had to be reminded of doing so - it was dad who brought that up when I was inquiring for the article. Gotta love her ;)
Because of my ignorance about these items, throughout the years of sifting and sorting through our archives I'd never payed much mind to pulling aside info on them! Were I in Modesto, could surely find images, etc... but I won't be there before the article deadline.
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Apr 15, 2015 - 05:54pm PT
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Batrock, yep--Just like that (except red).
Modern harnesses are much better than the swami I fashioned out of 1" tubular (never did get the 2"). But they are nothing compared to sitting comfy in a belay seat.
Obviously not for all routes, but if you plan to hang out for an extended spell while your partner cleans, and then leads some tough pitches, these seats are well worth the extra couple of ounces.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Apr 15, 2015 - 06:00pm PT
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So the list of Robbins products off the top of my head is:
Belay Seat
Two Point Hammock
BOOTS
Galibier Yosemite
Galibier Verappe
Salewa Hollow Carabiner (two versions)
Ropes
Alpelit Ice Axe
Which of these are of interest to you for this article?
The "Can of Worms" thread has several examples but not necessarily the first ad run
Summit magazine was the only game in town until about 1970 and Mountain started a little earlier. Fairly easy to find the first ad run in Summit, Climbing or Mountain for the above products if that would be of use.
Here is the classic Robbins hammock shot from the North American Wall FA in 1964 which pulled out all the stops with respect to innovation. Have Outside contact Tom Frost to arrange for use. This was taken from his website collection of photographs and named Tenement Flat.
http://frostworksclimbing.com/ThumbnailsA.htm
Chuck Pratt took the photo before climbing along the lip of the fearsomely exposed Black Cave to produce "the most spectacular lead in American climbing" in Royal's estimation.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Apr 15, 2015 - 07:00pm PT
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Hammock design has come a long way from those days of old. Give my best to your parents please Tamara.
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Tamara Robbins
climber
not a climber, just related...
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 15, 2015 - 08:33pm PT
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Thanks everyone! Steve, I'll be in touch... prepping for unexpected guests at moment, and then tomorrow is my Friday so will get back with you then. Much appreciated as always - this forum takes me back to my roots and the people who were part of them.... salut!
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Mark Force
Trad climber
Cave Creek, AZ
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Apr 15, 2015 - 09:50pm PT
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Here are some more pics of the belay seat in use.
Tamara, here is your dad probably sleeping in a hammock your mom made!
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