Piton climbing While it is possible to climb both Gros Piton and Petit Piton, only the former is legally sanctioned by the government of St Lucia. Feb 24, 2025 · A vast majority of visitors climb Gros Piton and not the more challenging Petit Piton. Dec 17, 2018 · Pitons are metal spikes which are inserted into cracks in the rock and secured by hammering them into place with a piton hammer. A piton (/ ˈ p iː t ɒ n /; also called pin or peg) in big wall climbing and in aid climbing is a metal spike (usually steel) that is driven into a crack or seam in the climbing surface using a climbing hammer, and which acts as an anchor for protecting the climber from falling or to assist progress in aid climbing. Climbing Saint Lucia Petit Piton and its sister, Gros Piton, make a great stop for guided tours. The history of the piton is intertwined with the early history of mountaineering and rock climbing and the ethical dilemmas facing the sport as it developed. The hike up Gros Piton can take 3 to 6 hours each way , and for that reason, comfort is key. Feb 19, 2024 · In the vertical ballet of rock climbing, pitons emerge as unsung heroes, intricately woven into the tapestry of a climber’s ascent strategy. Today, they are very rarely used because Tomahawks and Peckers work so much better in most cases. Yvon Chouinard in Yosemite Valley with lots of pitons before climbing El Capitan in the 1960s. qhdzfjbildjbgrppgisedgkpwoxsadiqcorbhfbclfhjhfgkqmjpfwoydciitgxasajdtqhkkserhei