Whitmore Aluminum Piton #1

Object/Artifact

-

Yosemite Climbing Museum

Various aluminum pitons made by George Whitmore and used on the first ascent of the Nose of El Capitan completed in 1958 after 47 days of effort spread out over nearly a year and a half effort

Various aluminum pitons made by George Whitmore and used on the first ascent of the Nose of El Capitan completed in 1958 after 47 days of effort spread out over nearly a year and a half effort

Name/Title

Whitmore Aluminum Piton #1

Entry/Object ID

2026.1.1

Description

Aluminum I-Beam Piton #1 made by George Whitmore

Use

Piton

Context

Made and used by George Whitmore, Wayne Merry, and Warren Harding on the first ascent of the Nose of El Capitan completed on November 12, 1958.

Collection

Yosemite Climbing Museum Permanent Collection

Category

Climbing Hardware, Pitons

Acquisition

Accession

2026.1

Notes

Acquired in 1993

Made/Created

Artist

George Whitmore

Date made

circa 1950 - circa 1958

Notes

Used in 1958 on the Nose.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

engraved GWW

Location

four separate GWW, two on each side- one top and one bottom

Notes

Made by George W Whitmore

Dimensions

Dimension Description

length and widest point

Width

2-1/2 in

Length

12 in

Material

Aluminum

Location

Location

Display Case

Exhibit Case 07

Date

January 20, 2026

Provenance

Provenance Detail

George Whitmore

Owner/Agent

George Whitmore

Role

Creator

Notes

Ken Yager was gifted item by George Whitmore in 1993 at personal home in Fresno.

General Notes

Note Type

Cataloging Note

Note

Caption in Museum is: "Various aluminum pitons made by George Whitmore and used on the first ascent of the Nose of El Capitan completed in 1958 after 47 days of effort spread out over nearly a year and a half effort."

Create Date

January 20, 2026

Update Date

January 20, 2026