Forrest Mountaineering Foxhead

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

Forrest Mountaineering Foxhead

Entry/Object ID

2026.1.97

Description

A "Foxhead" (swaged copper head inside a stopper) manufactured by Forrest Mountaineering

Use

a specialized, passive climbing nut (chock) designed for protection, particularly in aid climbing

Context

This is a piece of Forrest Mountaineering Gear called a "Foxhead." They also came in a blue, plastic form. Forrest made a lot of different types of gear, including climbing accessories like harnesses. This Foxhead is inscribed with a W B B, possibly for Werner Braun.

Collection

Yosemite Climbing Museum Permanent Collection

Category

Climbing Hardware, Nuts/Chocks

Acquisition

Accession

2026.1

Notes

Acquired from Werner Braun

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Forrest Mountaineering

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

initial

Transcription

W B B

Notes

Werner Braun

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Entire Wire with nut

Length

9-1/2 in

Dimension Description

Nut

Width

1 in

Length

1 in

Dimension Notes

width tapers to 3/4 in wide

Material

Aluminum

Location

Location

Display Case

Exhibit Case 11

Date

February 3, 2026

Web Links and URLs

https://vimeo.com/1171410354/8cd1763b34

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Werner Braun

Notes

Circa 1993

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