A few weeks ago, I posted this request on a Mountain Project forum (USA) https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/118982770/galibier-bbs (I have still not understood how to post pictures on a Chockstone forum…):
“Collector of Galibier mountaineering boots and rock shoes from the 60s and 70s, I have been looking for a long time, but without success, for information concerning the model of Galibier B.B's climbing shoes, marketed circa 1975. If it is not a secret that PA stands for Pierre Allain, RD for René Desmaison, and RR for Royal Robbins, to whom (or to what) do the initials "BB" correspond?”
At that time I did not imagine the Galibier B.B’s climbing shoes could have anything to do with Australia and, unfortunately, I did not think of posting here about this mysterious rock boots… A few weeks ago, the Australian climber John Croker finally brought me the solution to this enigma on the forum: “BB” stands for Beau Brummell! The boots were developed by Rick White in Australia in the early 70's sold in Aus 74-76. Had a high toe which made them awkward to use but they were comfortable to wear. John had a pair after his first pair or RDs then he happily went back to RDs then EBs until Fires came along. Beau Brummell aside from the early 19th century English society figure was a route Rick White and others [Ted Cais] put up on Mt Maroon Queensland a few years before.”
Further to John’s post, I did some research on the Internet, not only on the route Beau Brummell, but also on the person of Beau Brummell. Born June 7, 1778 in London, George Bryan Brummell, known as Beau Brummell, died March 30, 1840 in Caen (Normandy, France). He is buried in the Protestant cemetery of this city on Campus 1 of the university. What is fascinating is that what began as an ordinary research on mysterious Galibier rock shoes finds part of the solution a few hundred meters from where my family and I lived, in Caen, and where “BB” rests…
To this day, I would always be very happy to find a pair of these B.B's, in a rather good condition, to complete my collection of Galibier rock shoes…
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