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Chouinard, Chouinard/C.A.M.P.
& Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp
(Concezione Articoli Montagna Premana)
Ice Axes & Ice Hammers

Yvon Chouinard bought a second-hand coal-fired forge in 1957, and started making hardened steel pitons under the Great Pacific Iron Works name. Their success led him to form Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. He partnered with Tom Frost, and they moved their operation to Ventura California in 1967. The Chouinard product line expanded into a wade variety of climbing and related outdoor gear. In 1971-1972, they introduced Hexentrics and Stoppers. Frost left the operation in 1977, and his name was removed from ice axes and other products that had born the CBouinard-Frost name.

In 1968, during a trip to Italy to participate in the Trento Mountain Film Festival, Chouinard visited the CAMP factory in Premana with Hermann Huber (Salewa). Following this visit, an agreement was reached for CAMP to manufacture ice axes, pitons, Hexentrics and Stoppers for Chouinard (and later Black Diamond). This equipment was sold by CAMP with the double marking of the logos CHOUINARD and CAMP and, through 1980, the additionale logo of the INTERALP sales agent. All Chouinard equipment marked "Made in Italy" or "Italy" was manufactured by CAMP.

In 1989, Chouinard Equipment was facing a liability lawsuit. Chouinard had to separate the liability of Chouinard Equipment from the deep pockets of Patagonia, which he had founded in 1973. Chouinard Equipment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect the firm's assets. The lawsuit ultimately went nowhere. Peter Metcalf, Maria Cranor and former Chouinard Equipment employees purchased the company assets in 1989, formed Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., and moved the firm to Salt Lake City Utah.





Ice Axes

Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Ice Axes

Yvon Chouinard and Tom Frost teamed with C.A.M.P in the 1960s to market axes under the Chouinard–Frost name. In 1977 Chouinard ended his partnership with Frost & and took his name off the pick. Chouinard reportedly ended wooden shafts in 1978/1979 but C.A.M.P. continued to list the Chouinard axe (without the Chouinard and Interalp stamps) in their catalog as late as 1983.

Denis Pivot of C.A.M.P. provided the following information on C.A.M.P.'s relationships with other manufacturers:

CAMP - Chouinard & Black Diamond

In 1968, during a trip to Italy to participate in the Trento Mountain Film Festival, Yvon Chouinard visited the CAMP factory in Premana with Hermann Huber (Salewa). Following this visit, an agreement was reached for CAMP to manufacture ice axes, pitons, Hexentrics and Stoppers for Chouinard (later Black Diamond). This equipment was sold by CAMP with the double marking of the logos CHOUINARD and CAMP and, through 1980, the additionale logo of the INTERALP sales agent. All Chouinard equipment marked "Made in Italy" or "Italy" was manufactured by CAMP.





Chouinard–Frost Climaxe

First appearing in 1972, Chouinard’s Climaxe was his response to the Terrordactyl, with the curved rather than the drooped pick being his choice. It was created with help from his friend and fellow climber, Tom Frost.The 1972 CHouinard catalog described it as follows:

The ultimate technique on steepening ice, before resorting to artificial climbing or chopping steps, is front pointing using two Alpine Hammers. Rather than each man having to carry two hammers we have designed a mini-axe with the same pick as the Alpine Hammer but having an adze for cutting "pigeon hole" steps in extremely steep ice or for clearing away verglas on rock climbs. This combination of axe and Alpine Hammer is perfect on near vertical ice. The Climaxe is so versatile that it can also replace the more cumbersome ice axe on some mixed climbs.

The 1972 C.A.M.P. catalog lists two handle options, ash and bamboo, but lists only ash in 1976. The 1972 and 1976 Chouinard catalogs do not list handle options or specify the wood used.

291: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe 291: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe 291: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe 291: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe

291: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe 291: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe 291: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe

Markings Markings

↑ 291: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe

  • Made in Italy [ca. 1973].
  • 325x225 mm.
  • Weight: 430 g.
  • Hickory Handle.
  • Shaft: 29x19 mm. (Grip: 35x26 mm.)
  • Fixed Head.
  • Curved adze with a curved edge and no arch.
  • Adze: 80(l)x58(w)x0(arch) mm.
  • Curved alpine pick with a negative-clearance chisel tip and with 4 ventral teeth.
  • Pick: 100(l)x24(h)x7(t) mm.
  • A small, short axe appearing near the beginning of the technical ice climbing revolution,
  • The head is drop-forged nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel.
411: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe 411: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe 411: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe 411: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe

411: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe 411: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe 411: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe

Markings Markings

↑ 411: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Climaxe

  • Made in Italy [ca. 1973].
  • 325x225 mm.
  • Weight: 420 g.
  • Ash Handle.
  • Shaft: 29x19 mm. (Grip: 36x25 mm.)
  • Fixed Head.
  • Curved adze with a curved edge and no arch.
  • Adze: 75(l)x60(w)x0(arch) mm.
  • Curved alpine pick with a negative-clearance chisel tip and with 4 ventral teeth.
  • Pick: 105(l)x23(h)x7(t) mm.
  • A small, short axe appearing near the beginning of the technical ice climbing revolution,
  • The head is drop-forged nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel.

Chouinard–Frost Piolet

425: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 425: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 425: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 425: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet

425: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 425: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 425: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 425: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet

Markings Markings

↑ 425: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet

  • Made in Italy [ca. 1972].
  • 695x285 mm.
  • Weight: 890 g.
  • Hickory Shaft.
  • Shaft: 34x23 mm.
  • Fixed Head with carabiner hole.
  • Curved adze with a curved edge and no arch.
  • Adze: 75(l)x65(w)x0(arch) mm.
  • Curved alpine pick with a negative-clearance chisel tip and with 5 ventral teeth.
  • Pick: 155(l)x26(h)x9(t) mm.
  • Triangular spike.
  • Spike: 65(l)x22(w)x10(t) mm.
  • The wide triangular spike provides better lateral support while traversing than traditional narrow spikes.
  • The head is drop–forged chromium–nickel steel.
  • The Chouinard–Frost ice axe was first made in 1969. C.A.M.P started making them in about 1972.
  • The previous owner Russel Norton climbed Mt Rainier, completed a winter traverse of the Presidentials, almost completed a winter summit of Mt Katahdin, covered many winter miles on the Long Trail in Vermont, and did a few ice climbs with this axe.
148: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 148: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 148: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 148: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet

148: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 148: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 148: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet 148: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet

Markings Markings

↑ 148: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard–Frost Piolet

  • Made in Italy [ca. 1972–1976].
  • 700x290 mm.
  • Weight: 920 g.
  • Laminated bamboo shaft.
  • Shaft: 38x24 mm.
  • Fixed Head with carabiner hole.
  • Straight adze with a straight edge and no arch.
  • Adze: 75(l)x67(w)x0(arch) mm.
  • Curved alpine pick with a negative-clearance chisel tip and with 5 ventral teeth near the tip and 5 more near the shaft.
  • Pick: 155(l)x26(h)x9(t) mm.
  • Triangular spike.
  • Spike: 66(l)x22(w)x10(t) mm.
  • The wide triangular spike provides better lateral support while traversing than traditional narrow spikes.
  • The head is drop-forged chromium-nickel steel.
  • The Chouinard-Frost ice axe was first made in 1969. C.A.M.P started making them in about 1972.

Chouinard Piolet

261: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 261: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 261: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 261: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet

261: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 261: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 261: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 261: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet

Markings Markings

↑ 261: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet

  • Made in Italy [ca. 1977–1978].
  • 645x280 mm.
  • Weight: 850 g.
  • Ash Shaft.
  • Shaft: 34x23 mm. (Grip: 35x24 mm.)
  • Fixed Head with carabiner hole.
  • Straight adze with a curved edge and no arch.
  • Adze: 75(l)x67(w)x0(arch) mm.
  • Curved alpine pick with a negative-clearance chisel tip and with 5 ventral teeth near the tip and 5 more near the shaft.
  • Pick: 155(l)x25(h)x8(t) mm.
  • Triangular spike.
  • Spike: 66(l)x22(w)x10(t) mm.
  • The wide triangular spike provides better lateral support while traversing than traditional narrow spikes.
  • The head is drop-forged chromium-nickel steel.
  • Grip tape added by a previous owner.
  • In 1977 Chouinard ended his partnership with Tom Frost & took Frost's name off the pick. Chouinard ended wooden shafts in 1978/1979.
  • Chouinard catalogs list their axes with bamboo and rexilon handle options.
    C.A.M.P. catalogs at the same time list the same axes wth ash, bamboo, rexilon, and hickory handle options.
385: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 385: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 385: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 385: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet

385: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 385: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 385: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet 385: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet

Markings Markings

↑ 385: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Chouinard Piolet

  • Made in USA [1977].
  • 695x280 mm.
  • Weight: 920 g.
  • Laminated Birch Shaft (Rexilon™).
  • Shaft: 35x23 mm.
  • Fixed Head with carabiner hole.
  • Straight adze with a curved edge and no arch.
  • Adze: 75(l)x65(w)x0(arch) mm.
  • Curved alpine pick with a negative-clearance chisel tip and with 5 ventral teeth near the tip and 5 more near the shaft.
  • Pick: 155(l)x25(h)x8(t) mm.
  • Triangular spike.
  • Spike: 66(l)x22(w)x10(t) mm.
  • The wide triangular spike provides better lateral support while traversing than traditional narrow spikes.
  • The head is drop-forged chromium-nickel steel.
  • Chouinard's Rexilon shafts are made of 18-layer laminated beech.
    Rexilon shafts are stronger than their laminated bamboo shafts but heavier.
  • In 1977 Chouinard ended his partnership with Tom Frost & took Frost's name off the pick. Chouinard ended wooden shafts in 1978.
  • Rexilon was no longer offered in Chouinards 1978-1979 catalog.

Chouinard Ice Axes

Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

336: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 336: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 336: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 336: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

336: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 336: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 336: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 336: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

↑ 336: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

337: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 337: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 337: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 337: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

337: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 337: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 337: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 337: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

↑ 337: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

518: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 518: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 518: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 518: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

518: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 518: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 518: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 518: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

↑ 518: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

464: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 464: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 464: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 464: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

464: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 464: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 464: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 464: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

↑ 464: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

519: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 519: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 519: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 519: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

519: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 519: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 519: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A. 519: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

↑ 519: Chouinard Piolet U.S.A.

Chouinard–Zero

346: Chouinard Zero X 346: Chouinard Zero X 346: Chouinard Zero X 346: Chouinard Zero X

346: Chouinard Zero X 346: Chouinard Zero X 346: Chouinard Zero X 346: Chouinard Zero X

↑ 346: Chouinard Zero X

North Wall Hammers

237: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 237: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 237: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 237: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero

237: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 237: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 237: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 237: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero

Markings Markings

↑ 237: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero

384: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 384: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 384: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 384: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero

384: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 384: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 384: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero 384: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero

Markings Markings

↑ 384: Chouinard/C.A.M.P./Interalp Zero

392: Chouinard/C.A.M.P. Zero 392: Chouinard/C.A.M.P. Zero 392: Chouinard/C.A.M.P. Zero 392: Chouinard/C.A.M.P. Zero

392: Chouinard/C.A.M.P. Zero 392: Chouinard/C.A.M.P. Zero 392: Chouinard/C.A.M.P. Zero 392: Chouinard/C.A.M.P. Zero

Markings Markings

↑ 392: Chouinard/C.A.M.P. Zero

Ice Hammers

044: Chouinard Northwall X 044: Chouinard Northwall X 044: Chouinard Northwall X 044: Chouinard Northwall X

044: Chouinard Northwall X 044: Chouinard Northwall X 044: Chouinard Northwall X 044: Chouinard Northwall X

↑ 044: Chouinard Northwall X