SMC CAMLOCK

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

SMC CAMLOCK

Entry/Object ID

2026.1.101

Description

A type of camming hex/stopper, manufactured by S.M.C.

Use

Designed to cam in cracks, but were not popular in Yosemite.

Context

Camlocks were one of the many forms of rock climbing protection that appeared on the market in the 1970s when climbers were transitioning from days of chockstone and pitons to aluminum alloy nuts. "Seattle Mountaineering Corporation (SMC) produced camlocks mainly for the American market, which was fortunate for the British as they were not a success, with many Americans suggesting that they slipped rather than lock." - Scottish Mountaineering Heritage Collection

Collection

Yosemite Climbing Museum Permanent Collection

Category

Climbing Hardware, Cams, Nuts/Chocks

Acquisition

Accession

2026.1

Notes

Unknown Acquisition

Made/Created

Manufacturer

SMC

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Label

Transcription

CAMLOCK

Type

Makers Mark

Transcription

SMC

Dimensions

Width

3-3/8 in

Length

2-1/8 in

Dimension Notes

Width tapers to 2-3/4 inches

Material

Aluminum

Location

Location

Display Case

Exhibit Case 11

Date

February 4, 2026

Web Links and URLs

https://vimeo.com/1171414427/8f542a701b

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Unknown

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 4, 2026

Update Date

March 10, 2026