Question on ascenders

R

rangerdanger

Location
Lexington, Kentucky
For those of you reading the climbing methods for SRT post you know I'm getting ready to make set up here with a month or so. My question is, to you, what is the best ascender (Basically your favorite). I know the CMI have straight teeth, compared to the Petzl's, which are curved (I think), so can this affect rope wear anymore than the CMI's, or does it matter. Thanks alot
 
Take a look at what Gary Storrick has to say about the tools:

http://storrick.cnchost.com/VerticalDevicesPage/VerticalHome.shtml

That will give you a weeks worth of reading I'm sure :)

I've used ISC, CMI and like them. Right now I'm using ABC/LIberty Mountain handled ascender. The handle bucket is canted in a little making it a bit more ergonomic than the more upright configurations.

Rope wear shouldn't even be an issue. The teeth are configured to slide over the rope fibers. You will get picking if you aren't deliberate when you open the cam and take the rope out. Make sure that you slide the handle up and away from the teeth so that they don't pick your rope.
 
Thanks alot Tom, you seems to know everything around here. The Petzl's look like thay have a rubber grib, while the others look like plastic, so just a question on the teeth. They had a nice pair of ascenders at a nearby outdoors store, Black Diamond, but they on;y had one hole in the bottom and no room for another. Thanks for the info. Will read it later.
 
ive only ever used petzl hand ascenders and a kong double ascender, i wouldnt recommend the double ascender, a big waste of money, the petzls work well i guess, ive never had one open up on me or anything and i beat the snot out of it
 
Before you go purchasing gear like the Gri gri or the Eddy are you going to be climbing strictly SRT as far as access and working off it or are you just using it as a means of access? If you answer that we can help you more direct on what is suggested.
 
Be careful about "creating" a new system, especially one as complex as RADS or anything involving a gri-gri/eddy. It is difficult to perfect an SRT set-up, while remaining low and slow. Descending a foot or two is much different than dropping fifteen or twenty, and things that work for short runs feel alot different after 100' of it. You should be very comfortable with all elements of the system . . .

Which brings me to another point about SRT: Because it is such an effective technique for so many applications, people tend to forget how dangerous it can be. Shooting a line 120' into the crown can get you places fast, but you also have much less control about the quality of branches/unions your rope is set in. So, while it makes climbing and work positioning easier it is a considerably more advanced and difficult technique to master.
 
Well put Archdruid. Tom, that guy you posted the link to is THE king of all gearheads!

PUclimber, I am thinking of going SRT strictly for access, then switch to DdRT for working the tree....suggestions?

jp
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It's a good idea to put a spare carabiner through the top holes in the ascender especially if it might be loaded at an angle. This is not possible with some ascenders. It is with the Petzl.
 
Well Personally if srt is just for access I would go for something simple like srt using a petzl handled ascender with a knot for a back up in conjunction with a foot strap or maybe both petzl ascenders with a foot strap on the left and a pantin. You can even set a floating false crotch using a second rope to work ddrt. But the single petzl ascender with a pantin and the footloop is a great way to get started in srt ascension.
 
So no croll or anything. Because if not, than I could do the Pantin/ascender, and footloop. Also been thinking about jsut getting two ascenders and footlocking. I tried with the prusikk (Is that how you spell it) but its hard. Going to try some new techniques here over the weekend, some stuff I read from an article in the TCIA mag. Don't know yet, but I'll probaly end up buying the gear for basics of both, just two ascenders, pantin, straps, etc. Going to be saving the money for the TCIA show this November, we're hopefully going, as look as we keep putting money into that small vacation jar we keep. Adds up over time. Last time it was like $1000 in 8 months with just left over change from spending every day. Would also like to pick up the Tachyon New England rope there also, longer than 120'.

Sorry, just got carried away there. I can go on and on about this type of stuff. Reading this Wild Trees book for a school project is just making me want to get some ascenders and SRT/footlock more and more. Thanks for the comments guys!!
 
Well the most economic is the pantin and the handled ascender with a loop to your saddle and a footloop set up kind of like the tree frog set up and you can use an eye and eye vt or knut or michoacan above as a back up to the ascender and that will get you going srt and it's a great inexpensive system. One ascender or two is your choice plus depending on financially. Then once you access the canopy then you can switch over to your Ddrt and work the tree. Also where are you out of again Ranger?
 
There is a company I have recently dicovered called Climbing Technologies. I was told that they make gear for Petzl. just about the same thing and cheaper in price. I like the ascenders, a little lighter and the handle feels better. Call and talk to Rob at Fresco Arborist Supply (now owned by M&I supply). Their micro pulleys and rope snaps are awsome too!
 
Thanks guys. I'm out of Lexington, KY. Pretty soon, Jeremy's going to come done and we're going to have a little seminar, my Dad, me, and our climber (maybe his brother also who dosen't climb, but we would like to get him started). We have premission to climb some nice big trees that are prefect for SRT, so by the time it warms up, I should have the basic gear for this and he's going to help me out. Sometime at the end of March or beginning of April hopefully when I'm on Spring Break. Thats why I'm trying to get the gear now, so when this comes up I'll have it all and maybe have a basic techinque down somewhat, from working on it in our yard.

Also, to anyone who reads this, to start SRT is it better to anchor the rope to the base off the tree, or to tie a running bowline and anchor it to the branch. Thanks alot!
 
the croll helps keep you upright, which if you haven't had much practice with srt can be a life saver. or at least an arm saver! it also works as a back up to your handled ascender so you don't have to use a knot above the handled ascender.
 
I use the Petzl backed up with a ISC Rocker above it. Nice little ascender, light weight and comfortable.
 
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