CK's Greg Lowe Tricams

Object/Artifact

-

Yosemite Climbing Museum

The clean climbing movement of the 1970’s spurred many hammer-less climbing gear options. Some worked pretty well in Yosemite cracks, others not so much, potentially putting the climber at risk. The generic term for hammer-less gear is Nuts.

The clean climbing movement of the 1970’s spurred many hammer-less climbing gear options. Some worked pretty well in Yosemite cracks, others not so much, potentially putting the climber at risk. The generic term for hammer-less gear is Nuts.

Name/Title

CK's Greg Lowe Tricams

Entry/Object ID

2026.1.94

Description

A set of Tricams manufactured by Greg Lowe, on a Chouinard Equipment carabiner.

Use

to secure to rock, especially in horizontal cracks, pockets, pods, and icy, narrow, or flared cracks where standard cams (SLCDs) or nuts might fail.

Context

Greg Lowe made these Tri-Cams during the 1970s. The cords are all different colors to represent the different sizes. They are attached to a Chouinard carabiner. They were not often used in Yosemite, being more popular in the Colorado area. All of the Tri-Cams are engraved with C K, believed to be Chuck Kroger.

Collection

Yosemite Climbing Museum Permanent Collection

Category

Climbing Hardware, Cams

Acquisition

Accession

2026.1

Notes

Acquired Summer of 2008. Steve Grossman flew to Colorado for Chuck Kroger's funeral.

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Greg Lowe

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

initial

Transcription

C K

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Chouinard Carabiner

Width

2 in

Length

4 in

Dimension Description

Larger Purple Tricam

Width

1-1/4 in

Length

3-3/16 in

Dimension Notes

2 7/8-in length on other triangle side 12 inches length of the rope with tricam

Dimension Description

Smaller purple tricam

Width

1-5/16 in

Length

2-7/8 in

Dimension Notes

1 3/4-in length on other triangle side 10 1/2-in length of the rope with tricam

Dimension Description

Blue Tricam

Width

1-3/16 in

Length

2-5/8 in

Dimension Notes

1 11/16-in length on other triangle side 12 1/2-in length of the rope with tricam

Dimension Description

Orange Tricam

Width

1-1/16 in

Length

2 in

Dimension Notes

1- 3/8 in length on other triangle side 10-in length of the rope with tricam

Dimension Description

Yellow Tricam

Width

1 in

Length

1-3/8 in

Dimension Notes

7/8 inch length on other triangle side 8-1/2 inches length of the rope with tricam

Material

Nylon, Aluminum

Location

Location

Display Case

Exhibit Case 11

Date

February 3, 2026

Web Links and URLs

https://vimeo.com/1171407972/dda17656d7

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Chuck Kroger

Notes

Donated from the family of Chuck Kroger at his memorial Summer of 2008

General Notes

Note Type

Cataloging Note

Note

Caption in the museum is: "The clean climbing movement of the 1970’s spurred many hammer-less climbing gear options. Some worked pretty well in Yosemite cracks, others not so much, potentially putting the climber at risk. The generic term for hammer-less gear is Nuts."

Create Date

February 3, 2026

Update Date

March 10, 2026