In reply to Ian Parsons:
> Bongs are(/were) quite versatile. They can be placed, as designed, with a hammer - either in their normal orientation (usual sizes being 2", 2.5", 3" and 4") or endwise (6"). They can also be equipped with a sling through the lightening holes and used, without any need for a hammer, as a big nut - either in normal or endwise orientation, again, due to an appropriate taper in each mode. Indeed, their "three-point" contact with the sides of the crack can make them more stable than the equivalent size of hexentric or tube in anything flared.
Spot on as usual, Ian, you should charge for this service.
> I imagine that this latter type of use is what Rick was referring to;
I assumed longways after doing the HF, ie for a six inch crack. I thought some of the bigger bongs might have had a taper on the ends so they could be better placed both ways on.
> I'm guessing that he did the Salathé several decades ago when the only large cams were homemade, and bongs - in Yosemite at least - were commonplace.
May 1979, when the only cams were Friends 1 2 + 3. Not sure when the bigger sizes and home made jobbies came about. WC did not export then so it was only fair to leave them in the Valley with the locals. Swopped them for some very nice Chouinard large hexes. Still use one.