Aid Protection

For the slim and grim. Invented in 1987 by John Middendorf and originally brought to market as Lowe Balls, these have become the secret weapon of many aid and trad climbers. These little wonders will work in small parallel-sided cracks where the only other option is pounding a piton. Ball Nuts also work in pin scars and small flares where even modern micro cams simply won’t fit. Since they weigh so little, many advanced trad climbers keep a #2 and #3 on their rack at all times. The smallest active protection in the world! Color-coded for fast identification Narrow depth fits shallower cracks than traditional camming unit

Classic big brother of the Knifeblade, Bugaboos have precision-ground blades for a consistent taper and a hole in the thickest part of the head to reduce weight without sacrificing durability. Two clip-ins for corner placements and weight reduction

Most pitons rely on compression of the metal and leverage from directional pull for their holding power. The U shape of the shaft on the Corner piton adds an additional holding force by creating spring tension when the piton is driven into a crack proportionately smaller than its width. Specifications: Material: Hardened Steel Intended Use: Granite Weight: #1 – 55 g, 1.9 oz #2 – 64 g, 2.3 oz Length (Blade): #1 – 70 mm, 2.8 in #2 – 75 mm, 3.0 in Thickness: #1 – 12 mm #2 – 16 mm

Tapered pitons designed to fit extremely thin cracks of various depths. Two carabiner holes increase clipping options and reduce weight. Specifications: Material: Hardened Steel Intended Use: Granite Weight: 7 cm – 55 g, 1.9 oz 9 cm – 61 g, 2.2 oz Length (Blade) 7 cm – 75 mm, 1.4 in 9 cm – 90 mm, 2.0 in Thickness: 3 mm (both sizes)

Logan Hooks are small skyhooks with a shallowly curved hook designed for use in holes and narrow horizontal cracks where a standard skyhook will not fit.

Tough enough to withstand repeated abuse in thin to medium-width cracks, hot forged Lost Arrows are patterned after the original designs of John Salathé and are as light as possible for their given size. Lightweight for their strength and size Numbered for quick identification

The historic Lost Arrow is the most prevalent kind of piton climbers are likely to find securing lines from Yosemite to Patagonia. Their simple straight-flare design provides a solid hold in both vertical and horizontal positions.

The Yates Pin Head Cable Gear Puller is used to help remove stubborn piton placements that you can’t hammer out. Clip one end to the peg and the other to your hammer and use the weight of the hammer to yard the gear out. Use as a last resort – this can damage the rock! Cabled Gear Puller. Eye ends covered with thick, plastic tubing to reduce wear. These are often referred to as "Funkness Devices".

These aid hooks are an essential piece of equipment in your aid rack. They can be used as bat hooks, in drilled placements, or on "dead heads". They are stable and strong for edges and micro ledges. Details: Made of 4130 Chromoly Steel for extra strength and durability Specifications: Working Load: Body Weight Reach: #1 (14mm/0.6") #2 (12mm/0.5") #3 (30mm/1.2") Thickness: 3.0mm/0.12" Weight: #1 (26g/0.9oz) #2 (46g/1.6oz) #3 (42g/1.4oz)

The Tomahawk is a hooking piton for use in thin seams. It is designed primarily as a thin nailing piece, requiring the use of a hammer, but can also be hand-placed into “beak slots” or natural constrictions in thin cracks. The design enables easier and quicker cleaning to prevent the piece from becoming fixed. The Tomahawk is available in three different versions – standard (straight), left, and right as well as three different sizes – #1, #2, and #3 . The left and right versions are bent and are intended for corners.