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Suspect bolts and hangers

Original Post
Le gion · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 15

Inspired by this thread about a bolt that pulled out after just 15 years I thought it'd be helpful to share photos of suspect bolts/hangers and explanations of what we should be looking for. Of course it's not always obvious so please educate us.

Some may think this is being a worry wart, but I for one like to doublecheck everything I clip into, whether it's pro I put in myself or something bolted. Thanks!

applewood · · Tonasket, WA · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 16,382

Great idea Legion. I've seen old rusty and bent over hangers and bolts before (often no other choice than to use them....), but the really scary ones are those we can't tell -and so blindly trust. I guess I'm gonna start giving plated bolts a sharp tug outward, but sometimes I'd probably rather not know....

The bolt that I pulled out yesterday (with a claw hammer mind you) showed absolutely no sign of rusting on the surface. And to its credit it probably would have held a fall as a passive form of protection since it was placed on a steep slab and not overhanging rock.

15 year old bolt and the hole it easily pulled out of.

Steve Levin · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 952

A few 1960 to early 1980 generation bolts/hangers from Eldorado.

Note the length of the stud in the upper of the two aluminum "pop-top" hangers. This bolt protected a ground fall 5.9 move on the West Ridge.

There were a lot of these pop-tops in Eldo up until about 2003. There may be at most one or two left in the Canyon, although I think we've gotten them all.

Old Eldo bolts

applewood · · Tonasket, WA · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 16,382

Yikes!!!

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945

double yikes...

Perin Blanchard · · Orem, UT · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 8,479
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Fixed Hardware: Bolts & Anchors
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