Awesome Ascenders!

Those were the first commercial ascenders and they're a bit outdated, though still popular among some old-timers. Petzl has pretty much taken over the ascender market with their Ascension.

But if you want a really strong ascender that you can grab with heavy gloves, check out the CMI Expedition (which was taken over from Clog Wales, which is what I've been using for years). They weigh the same are twice as strong and cost about the same.

CMI Expedition Ascenders at Karst Sports

- Robert
 
I've been using the CMI Ultra ascenders for many years with never a single problem. Same cam and latch design as the Expedition, but not quite so nice in the ergonomics department. Breaking strength is 5000 lbs., I believe. I'm surprised to see the Expedition that much lower, so perhaps I am mistaken. Do you know, Robert?
 
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I've been using the CMI Ultra ascenders... Breaking strength is 5000 lbs., I believe. I'm surprised to see the Expedition that much lower

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Actually, CMI lists the MBS of the Ultras as 4600 lbs and the Expeditions as 4000 lbs - not that much difference, especially compared to the Petzl Ascension "proof-tested" to 1000 lbs and the Jumar with MBS of 1600 lbs.

And, as you say, the ergonomics of the Expedition is the best.

- Robert
 
If you want a very light and tremendously strong ascender, check out the solid titanium units made by Ushba. They work like the Yates Rocker, will slide both up and down a rope until loaded, and I believe they can be used as a descender as well:

USHBA Titanium Ascender

- Robert
 
When I was at the ISC factory last year they were making the ascenders. It was really something to see all of the steps in the process. From taking a block of aluminum and milling out the handles to heat treating all the way to putting on the red and green handle plates so we know which is right or left. Amazing!

The ISC's are built tough enough to use as a hammer for pounding ice pins and still put up with ascending. They are bomber!

Ushba makes some nice stuff but I think they aren't in business any more. Might be wrong though.
 
I'm not impressed with ISC.
They didn't send any papers with the pulleys I purchased and when I asked for information on them they didn't respond.
Good stuff but no support.
 
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I'm not impressed with ISC.
They didn't send any papers with the pulleys I purchased and when I asked for information on them they didn't respond.
Good stuff but no support.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just bought some ISC ascenders and they had good info/paperwork with it.

Maybe it was the people you bought it from?

love
nick
 
Booo Yaahh, I'm back baby. Computer got raped with viruses. Just got it back up again. Feels like I've been gone for years.

Anyway, I used to use jumars about 15yrs ago. Then I saw a guy come out of one at a comp. one year. That's when there was no back-ups or belays during footlock. He dropped about 15ft. Bugged him out and the judges. Then, to top it off, the same guy the following year did the same thing. That was all I needed to see. He also didn't use a 'biner in the top holes either. I like the petzl. I'm not to thrilled about the toothed cam especially on the newer ropes. If they made a smooth cam or smooth ridged cam my ropes would like me better.

Later
 
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