- CAMP history from the CAMP website ................
C.A.M.P. (Conception of Articles for Mountaineering made in Premana) was formed in 1889 high in the mountains of Premana, Italy 103 years after the first ascent of Mont Blanc. At that time, Nicola Codega – the grandfather of the current owners – was a blacksmith producing a wide range of products from wrought iron like cutting implements and bells. The culture of iron and its workings had taken root in Premana during the 1800’s when the iron mines in the valley experienced heavy exploitation.
Manufacturing of alpine and mountaineering equipment did not begin until 30 years later when the founders son, Antonio Codega, began production of a new item for alpine use: the ice axe. The inspiration to develop mountaineering tools came from a former official of the Italian Army Alpine Troops who, upon returning from the First World War, stressed that soldiers were in need of equipment that would enable them to move more efficiently over difficult and icy terrain. It was 1920, and the early development of mountaineering equipment had begun. By 1940 the company had grown to a workforce of twenty employees.
Following the Second World War, one of the most prolific mountaineers of the period began visiting Premana – his name was Riccardo Cassin. With awe-inspiring charisma and an unparalleled passion for mountaineering, Riccardo helped Antonio Codega’s four sons develop and nurture the continued production of mountaineering equipment.
Over the next 50 years, C.A.M.P. went on to develop not only ice axes, but new items such as crampons, hammers, pitons and nuts. The C.A.M.P. range grew with strong products in every line and the company’s natural expansion soon stretched beyond Italy and Europe and emerged successfully at the international level.
Moving ahead in the 21st Century, C.A.M.P. continues to work for those who challenge themselves and seek to be a part of the natural world. C.A.M.P. strives to actively promote the endeavors of those who remain young inside, who love the risk and the spirit of adventure, who halt awe-struck with the colors of the sunrise and bask in the beauty of the alpenglow. Now and into the future, C.A.M.P. will continue to work for those who love profoundly the intrigue of exploration and the unknown.
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- Camp history from Wikipedia ...............................
CAMP (also spelled C.A.M.P., and called Camp, standing for "Concezione Articoli Montagna Premana"; the English equivalents are "Conception" (N.B., evidently not "concession"), "Articles", "Mountains", "Premana"), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of equipment for climbing and associated activities such as ski mountaineering and industrial safety. The company is based in Italy.
CAMP manufactures a wide range of products, including ice axes, crampons, ice screws, pitons, carabiners, nuts, tricams, camming devices, harnesses, helmets, rucksacks, tents, ski racing clothing, and various snow tools.
The company was founded by Nicola Codega, a blacksmith, in 1889 in the Italian alpine village of Premana, where it is still based. Originally producing wrought-iron goods, an order in 1920 for ice axes for the Italian army was their first foray into the world of climbing equipment. From there the company extended its climbing range to include crampons, pitons, and nuts, and eventually with the encouragement of leading mountaineer Riccardo Cassin and collaboration with American climber Greg Lowe (founder of Lowe Alpine), into non-metallic equipment. The company is still run by Codega's descendants.
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- Camp history written by Denis Pivot, provided by Stephane Pennequin ..................
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From the 1994 CAMP catalog - The Wolf ....................
The wolf of CAMP comes from far away. He remembers the steel mines in the valley where he was born. The blacksmith’s workshop founded in the end of 1800, where in 1920 the first ice axes, that still today carry his name, were built. In this valley the footprints that carried him all of the way here started. He has come a long way. The wolf of CAMP knows the silences, the cold mountain wind, the snow and the highlands. He has guided solitary heroes in search of themselves. He has explored remote lands with and has protected them from cold with the most resistant and comfortable materials, he has helped them climb walls and glaciers with safe tools. Today, the wolf of CAMP leaves its footprints on new lines of innovative and high quality products, developed to give the maximum support to all people living and loving the mountains.
The wolf of CAMP comes from far away. He remembers the steel mines in the valley where he was born. The blacksmith’s workshop founded in the end of 1800, where in 1920 the first ice axes, that still today carry his name, were built. In this valley the footprints that carried him all of the way here started. He has come a long way. The wolf of CAMP knows the silences, the cold mountain wind, the snow and the highlands. He has guided solitary heroes in search of themselves. He has explored remote lands with and has protected them from cold with the most resistant and comfortable materials, he has helped them climb walls and glaciers with safe tools. Today, the wolf of CAMP leaves its footprints on new lines of innovative and high quality products, developed to give the maximum support to all people living and loving the mountains.
