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I've got a 1972 Chouinard Frost Climaxe that I'd like to sell. I used it once in the Tetons and quickly realized that it was too light for ice, too short for snow and never carried it again. It's in near perfect condition and has never been sharpened. It has a classic curve, the shape of which was said to have been inspired by the curve of a woman's breast.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Vintage-1972-C ... 336562c50a

These old Chouinard-Frost axes, expecially the ones with laminated bamboo shafts, are not worth a whole lot. I will take it off your hands for $10.00.

Seriously though, these tools are obviously highly valued by collectors, and although the bamboo shafted, longer piolets may be more desireable, yours is in really nice shape. You may want to give Dane from here a shout. I think he's in Chamonix right now, but he would have a very good idea about the value of this tool. Perhaps also give Second Ascent in Seattle a call. I believe the owner colllects Chouinard-Frost ice tools and axes.

I have a Chouinard 70cm bamboo piolet but would never sell it. I used it for over 20 years and every nick and ding means something to me. I also have a full rack of '72 hexes, stoppers, lost arrows, bongs, the '72 Chouinard catalog, Ascent mags and more. All of it is my original gear. I started this sport as a poor, young climber and now I'm a poor, old climber who needs new gear.

I also have a collection of literature that I am looking to sell if anyone is interested. I’d prefer to sell them as a “package” but would consider individual offers. All are in very good condition.

I need some new La Sportiva boots so I can continue my alpine climbing career. After all, one can only get so much mileage out of old climbing stories. New freakin' boots cost a small fortune today. I knew I should have ordered two pairs of the handmade $50 Klocker boots from the Chouinard catalog when they were available. I'd still be wearing them today.

The Vertical World of Yosemite (Galen Rowell, 1974)
Ascent – 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975/76
Advanced Rockcraft (Royal Robbins, 1973)
Mountaineering (Alan Blackshaw, 1970)
Mountain Rescue Techniques (Wastl Mariner, 1963)
Chouinard (clean climbing) catalog 1972
Chouinard catalog 1982
Forrest Mountaineering – Catalog and Guide to Natural Climbing, 1974

You're killing me.

I've got a matching Chouinard alpine hammer (used), the all leather holster and a pair of very serivceable Chouinard/Salewa chrome-moly, rigid crampons (w/straps) to go with the climaxe. Heck, I'd sell the whole outfit and someone could go ice climbing in full retro gear.