Cavechat.org

I couldn't copy the original images from the '65 and '66 issues of the News, but here are some rough sketches showing the Brenot "monkey" and a similar device, the "climbing cam".

It was suggested that the 1965 cam be used with one tied to each foot. For drops of over 20' a third cam on a seat sling was suggested. A template for building your own climbing cam was provided, and they were offered for sale for $4. I don't know the history of Gibbs ascenders, but it seems that the same basic idea has been used for almost 80 years.

click to enlarge

Very interesting. If this assertion is accurate, it seems the ground-breaking Gibbs ascender design was a slightly modified copy of the old Brenot design. Or perhaps just a "curious international coincidence."

Here's a screenshot of that little gem in the October 1966 NSS News.

Why couldn't you have done that before I spent all that time drawing and scanning?

I also sent an email to Dr. Storrick and mentioned this thread, he may have something to add.

GroundquestMSA wrote:Why couldn't you have done that before I spent all that time drawing and scanning?

Now where would the fun be in that? And more to the point, why didn't you just post a screenshot yourself?

Do we know what the Brenot's were made of - Aluminium or steel?

NZcaver wrote:And more to the point, why didn't you just post a screenshot yourself

I had to use my wife's phone to see the pdf. My internet connection is too slow.

GroundquestMSA wrote:

NZcaver wrote:And more to the point, why didn't you just post a screenshot yourself

I had to use my wife's phone to see the pdf. My internet connection is too slow.

Slower than redrawing the sketch yourself? (Clearly, yes.)

tamarmole wrote:Do we know what the Brenot's were made of - Aluminium or steel?

I'll try to find someone who owns Traité De Spéléologie, or a library. I would guess (wildly) that aluminum would be most likely, since it would be easier to work with.

NZcaver wrote:Slower than redrawing the sketch yourself? (Clearly, yes.)

Clearly. I get 40 Kbps on a good day. I usually lose connection altogether in the time it takes to open a pdf of more than one or two pages.