Five fascinating artefacts spanning the history of British mountain culture

This was developed in 1970 for climbing on neve, or hard packed snow. The shaft is aluminium and the head made from steel. The prototype design was used by Alasdair McKeith, Kenneth Spence and Ian MacEacheran on their first ascent of the North-East Pillar on the Eiger in 1970.

Mabel Barker was the first female to climb Central Buttress (E1) on Scarfell in 1925. She was also passionate about the value of outdoor education, opening a school at Friar Row in Caldbeck that took children out into the surrounding area. Her boots are currently on display at the Keswick Museum as part of our British Women Climb exhibition. The boots were donated to the Trust by Mabel Barker’s family.

Sacs Millet harness was used by Paul Nunn who climbed extensively in the Peaks, Wales and the Lake District in the late 50s and early 60s. Alongside lecturing at Sheffield Hallam University, Paul led a life immersed by climbing; climbing extensively in the Alps, Himalaya and Karakorum, serving on the UIAA committee board, as President of the BMC and as associate editor of Mountain magazine. He was part of the first British ascent of the Phillip-Flamm route on the Civetta in 1963.

Adrian Burgess’ boots made especially by Reebok as part of the sponsored 1994 expedition to K2. The expedition was the fourth attempt on the mountain’s North Ridge, with previous successes coming in 1982, 1983 and 1990. The expedition was unsuccessful after spending four months in the region between May and August. The boots were donated to the Trust by Adrian himself.