Ascender backup

[Tom Dunlap]

While replying to a post at Arborist Site on ascenders I had another idea for backing up ascenders. Let me know what you think about this scheme.

Previously I'd back up a handled ascender by tying a friction hitch above the ascender. There needs to be a balance of how tight to have the FH. I've wondered if the FH would grab soon enough if the ascender slipped. Not using a prusik is one way to have a better chance of the rope grabbing. Also, from what we've talked about here it seems that the place where ascenders fail is when debris gets into the mechanism. By having the ascender and backup in close proximity it seems like there might be a better chance of both failing.

Here is a possible solution. Tie an auto-block hitch with accessory cord into the front d on the saddle. By tying the hitch short and using a biner or other slack tender below the auto-block it would self tend but open up to slide up the rope. The atuo-block is favored as a backup when descending with a figure eight, ATC or other plate/tube tool.

The next few days won't allow me to do much experimenting. I have to hit production so I'm going to be using the tried and true setup.

Tom

 

[treeclimber165]

I'm using a distal hitch as shown on page 18 of the Sherrill catalog. It grabs great and advances easily with a tender pulley. I'm thinking I would clip the hitch and tender above the handled ascender.
Tom stated "By having the ascender and backup in close proximity it seems like there might be a better chance of both failing." Why would both fail? I would imagine that the friction hitch would knock any leaves/twigs out of the way since the hitch would be smack against the top of the ascender. I can't remember the last time my hitch failed because of debris, although I'm not saying it couldn't happen.

 

[Kevin]

When I use that system my distel is tied below the ascender and a biner takes it up the rope for me.

 

[BigJon]

Kevin, couldn't you ascender slipping down also move your distal down causing it to fail as well?

I think with a friction hitch tied above it would protect the ascender from debris. When I back my system up I use a 4 over 1 swabish tied above the ascender and attatched to the bottom with a biner and then my strap on the bottom side of that biner. It seems to work really well. The only thing I don't like is putting the biner through the top of the Petzl. I would like to find a pin I could push through.


I have been thinking of a designing an ascender that would use a a cord that grabs rather than a toothed cam.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

In order for the friction hitch below the ascender to work properly you would need to adjust the length carefully.

Sure, the FH might act like a snow plow but it also may be up high in the same mess of leaves and twigs that could jump in and open the cam on the ascender. Putting the backup down by your tummy gives it more shelter. I'm not a fan of handled ascenders in tree work. My preferance is to use shelled ascenders like Gibbs or Micro cenders. Seems like the mechanism is better suited for working in twigs. Just my assessment.

Tom

 

[MrPez]

Tom

I tried this with a top ascender and footlocking - I couldn't get on with it, it ruined the rythym. It might work with a lower ascender though.

 

[Ghivelder]

What kind of handled ascenders are you talking about?
I use Kong's double ascender and honestly havn't solved the back-up problem.

Sergio

Has anyone tried footlocking with a shunt?