Quick qUESTION FOR YOU ALL? Just purchased the Petzyl Ascenttree double handled ascender for DRT. Can anyone tell me what a good back up to run above the ascender is? For fall protection, in the case it should fail? Or what the best way to run this system is, for ascending into the canopy.
ASCENDER QUESTION
- Thread starter TreesRGood
- Start date
- Location
- Pukalani, Hawaii
most of the guys here will tell you to clip an accessory biner in the top holes to keep the cams from opening and back it up with a 6 coil footlock prussik. .
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
I've never thought that a second attachment above the ascendeer was the best system.
While there's no reason not to use a second attachment, is it reguired? Absolutely not. Does anyone use two hitches when they climb? Does anyone use two hitches when they ascend? Most times climbers will run their ascending hitch loose when they move into the canopy. This by itself is much more dangerous than using a single ascender to move into the tree. In case of a fall/slip the hitch will take some time/drop distance to lock. If the wrong hitch is chosen it might not even grab!
Start out by asking yourself why you feel a need to have a second attachment. I don't say 'backup' either. To keep this discussion short, a backup would be using two ropes and two means of attachment. A true DOUBLE ROPE system like rope access uses. Opposed to arbos doubleD rope climbing system.
If some event, a stick or twigs, were to get close to the upper ascender, or even a hitch, it could fail. Having both primary and secondary attachments so close together could mean that the event causes both to fail. Having the second attachment further away is a better system.
A better setup is to use a second attachment in the chest position. You could use a chest ascender but most arbo saddles aren't built to attach it low enough to function correctly. TreeFlex and some of the Petzl saddles have a low, belly button, attachment.
My advise is to rely one from this family:
http://storrick.cnc.net/VerticalDevicesPage/AscenderDevices.shtml
Look in the list of Type 1 Lever Cam Ascenders/no handle.
I've got different Micro Grabs that I use for this configuration.
When you get things smoothed out the lower ascender will tail along and capture all of your upward movement without any lag. Using a proper chest ascender is the best. You can sit at any time and you don't loose any upward movement.
Be sure to use a locking biner to clip around the rope in the top hole of your handled ascender. I never carry any non lockers on my harness. They are just extra ballast that have no other use. Lockers can be used for life support.
While there's no reason not to use a second attachment, is it reguired? Absolutely not. Does anyone use two hitches when they climb? Does anyone use two hitches when they ascend? Most times climbers will run their ascending hitch loose when they move into the canopy. This by itself is much more dangerous than using a single ascender to move into the tree. In case of a fall/slip the hitch will take some time/drop distance to lock. If the wrong hitch is chosen it might not even grab!
Start out by asking yourself why you feel a need to have a second attachment. I don't say 'backup' either. To keep this discussion short, a backup would be using two ropes and two means of attachment. A true DOUBLE ROPE system like rope access uses. Opposed to arbos doubleD rope climbing system.
If some event, a stick or twigs, were to get close to the upper ascender, or even a hitch, it could fail. Having both primary and secondary attachments so close together could mean that the event causes both to fail. Having the second attachment further away is a better system.
A better setup is to use a second attachment in the chest position. You could use a chest ascender but most arbo saddles aren't built to attach it low enough to function correctly. TreeFlex and some of the Petzl saddles have a low, belly button, attachment.
My advise is to rely one from this family:
http://storrick.cnc.net/VerticalDevicesPage/AscenderDevices.shtml
Look in the list of Type 1 Lever Cam Ascenders/no handle.
I've got different Micro Grabs that I use for this configuration.
When you get things smoothed out the lower ascender will tail along and capture all of your upward movement without any lag. Using a proper chest ascender is the best. You can sit at any time and you don't loose any upward movement.
Be sure to use a locking biner to clip around the rope in the top hole of your handled ascender. I never carry any non lockers on my harness. They are just extra ballast that have no other use. Lockers can be used for life support.
