Seeing the two guys yesterday climbing with old gear at Sandstone, I did some research to find info about the harness they used. It's very similar to the Whillans Sit Harness which was quite controversial here in the US in the 70s. Here's a quote from the 1972 Chouinard Equipment Company (the precursor to Patagonia Clothing.)
"Chouinard and others are positively opposed to harnesses and such contraptions, but as a concession to Frost, (who has sold out to the British technocracy,) the Whillans Sit Harness is herein offered to American climbers. It provides greater comfort than the Swami Belt for falling, taking tension and belaying on inadequate stances"
CHOUINARD EQUIPMENT CATALOG, 1972
Prior to this, climbers used the Swami Belt which was webbing wrapped around the waist. You really don't want to do a lot of hanging on a climb when all your weight is held by a waist band.
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