MacInnes Massey ice axe

Sport

This is a MacInnes Massey all metal ice axe. The Massey was one of the first metal-shafted ice axes manufactured in Britain. These ice axes revolutionised the sport of mountaineering. It was invented by Glencoe resident Hamish MacInnes (1930 – 2020). His decision to manufacture this design was taken in the early 1960s after he found two broken wooden axes on Ben Nevis, where two mountaineers were killed in a fall. MacInnes was an icon of mountaineering and is also known around the world as the father of mountain rescue. This axe along with a selection of mountaineering objects are on long term loan to the museum from the Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection.

Material: metal

Size: L 675 mm x W 280 mm (head)

Sources: Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection