Exactly 50 years ago today. Ive cut it so as to see the gear. I think those were Scott crabs used by the RAF rescue service. Shoes RDs: sewn sling; no metal, hemp waistband.

Fantastic photo. What amazes me is how completely revolutionised climbing gear had become by the time I started climbing 14 years later, but that since then changes have been really just little refinements.

Exactly how I remember getting kitted up for a climb circa mid 60's. Even some nuts threaded on a sling!

I absolutely love this photo. Surely this is what it's all about.

Love that relaxed pose and the stunning position. Tremendous photo.

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Fabulous again, John. How many more of these gems have you got?

Jon, That's enough Shrike (Ed)! I have gems from the Alps but they don't go down so well.

The gear changed but I remember my brother Adam wearing exactly the same garb in the mid 70's. No doubt influenced my Dad..Dave Gregory etal..

Great pic. That track to the base of Cloggy looks more worn then than it does now!

amazing pic. what a bold era. Impossible to compare climbing now and then. What would a 3+ metre fall be like onto this setup? Scary stuff. Looks way casual too.

I fell off Kaisergebirge wall with similar gear around about then, about 40ft with a somersault included. It was quite comfortable. It's steep so you don't bounce and there was enough rope out to absorb the energy. Maldwyn Roberts from Llanberis fielded me with no injury, just a few expletives. I then re threaded the crankshaft that stopped me and got pumped doing that and fell off again.
Who took the picture John? John Colton

Fort jcolton,. Don't remember someone from the Cott with my camera (a Contaflex I think) strategically sited by Ron before we started the climb.

well that brings it all back! We didn't think anything of it at the time (60s)- hemp waistlines, hawser-laid rope, waist belays, 3 or 4 home made chocks (husband made them in the garage where he worked)- we were the first in our group to get a coloured rope (red), considered a bit show-offish by friends.....later on when harnesses came in I thought they looked like bondage gear and hardly liked to put one on. Certainly focussed the mind on not falling!

Just finished reading Itching to Climb by Barbara James, thought I'd seen the photo before : )

One of my all time favourite climbing pics! Brilliant.

That's kind of you, thanks.