Single hand ascender with WR. L or R?

[treeweaver]

I agree to some extent with the Kong ban. I have had the futura for a couple of years, before the whole scandal broke out. I am not going to trash it because of it. I also don't use ascenders for life support.
Shame they handled that issue so poorly as they do do a couple of good products. I guess people can make their own mind if to buy their products or not.

 

[theXman]

this is my current srt set up for ascending medium distances.

for the feet, I would use my modified Large CMI with two foot pegs and straps (made one after California guys showed me theirs in 2002 or 2003). for shorter distance, just a small one footed cmi ascender.

the blue cord is a bungee cord to advance the pulley.

for long distances, I use a modified large cmi ascender with a peg handle for each hand, a larger bungee for advancing pulley. plus the large cmi modified for both feet. (don't see any picture in my files, might take one tomorrow if you want a picture).

The one bad thing about SRT, it feels like your body is twice it's weight, from what you are used to with double line. Makes me feel like I'm really weak. So on long distances, it's nice to have both arms holding on and both legs working.

up in the crown, I send down both large cmi ascenders and put on the little cmi foot ascender. Because, again, srt makes you feel weak and you find yourself needing that foot ascender

 

[theXman]

oh, and don't set up your rescue line like seen on the tree, we did a "mock" rescue when I was done the tree removal and it was too hard for the guys to get the climbing line unclipped from the big biner.

the climbing line should not have gone around tree and clipped to itself, instead, just clipped to other rope just after other rope left the figure eight. then the other rope could be locked off around base of tree.

 

[Frax]

I like these kind of base-tie set-ups that include a way to lower a climber. But there is always the likelihood that the climber is lanyarded in. Someone might still have to go up there to rescue. But at least the lowering system is already in place.

I use a long deadeye sling tied as a timber hitch with a biner. The climb line (which is tied with a running bowline) is secured to the sling with a prussik. I didn't invent this system but I am kind of proud of the fact that I spliced those myself.

 

[scrat]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What i like about the futura is your grip is really just like grabbing the rope, it feels really natural to me but has the obvious benefit of doing the gripping for you. A traditional handle sometimes feels like it puts a different angle on the wrists that just doesnt feel as good for me.

[/ QUOTE ]
that is a good point that i forgot to mention. it is more natural and i feel like it's less tiring to grab for that reason.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree witn Trevmcrev and Treeweaver.
Feels good and natural in the hand, using it as an ascender not primary life support, and takes up no space in my SRT bag.
I have a right handed one with my left foot loop attached and a rated lanyard (as a back up) to my hitch climber and VT hitch to pull it up during an ascent. Only dislike is the lower attachement hole is small and showing signs of wear from the oval connector link I am using, otherwise it looks and continues to work great.

 

[overpaidmuniguy]

I've got a right foot futura and a left hand futura and have been pretty well pleased. Down the line I'll likely get the left foot and right hand to be able to switch for the sake of ergonomics. Still klutzy on the wrench, and far from smooth with the ascenders, but seems the way to go.

With hand futura my only complaint is another inch or so from the connector to the cam would allow a bit more room for my hand without bumping the cam.

I'm using it to advance a foot loop, which has worked well, unattached to the harness. Maybe it is a no-brainer, but connect the carabiner around the climbing line as well to keep the foot loop from pulling the ascender out of line with the rope.

 

[treebing]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S3khfQcq5s&feature=youtube_gdata_player.
This is what i have been doing since i screwed up my futura. Works very well, easy on easy off, and it stores easy, material is cobra cable ornamentals

 

[opposablethumb]

Kevin,

Would you mind explaining in a little more detail what that upper ascender set-up is? Looks smooth and cheap, I just can't quite make out what you're doing from the video...Many thanks...

(and thanks for making the RW! You've changed my career!)

 

[Kramer]

Kevin,
That’s a good TreeFrog setup.
RW & hitch instead of a croll chest ascender and that improvised rope ascender on top.
Nice setup and no changeover to descend. Just remove top ascender and pantin.
Very slick.
I'll be trying it tomorrow.

 

[CreTree]

That looks like a Bachmann hitch of sorts. Maybe with more wraps.

 

[trevmcrev]

Nice one Kevin!

 

[treebing]

just wrap it around the rope six or seven times and then clip the bottom part. More like a kleimheist but with a biner. Using the small accessory caribiner in place of the big carabiner works well too but The big carabiner has more purchase area to hold on to with your hand.

 

[moss]

[ QUOTE ]
just wrap it around the rope six or seven times and then clip the bottom part. More like a kleimheist but with a biner...

[/ QUOTE ]

Great setup/implementation! The footloop for your left foot is on the other end of the same cord right?
-AJ

 

[Sawdust]

I'm used to right hand ascenders, so i got the futura rt hand asc., and left foot. It didnt work the way I wanted.

The futura hand ascender attachment hole faces the opposite of a petzl, which messes with alignment to the RW and doesnt make it smooth to me. So I switched to petzl RT foot ascender and kept the right hand futura which lines up nice for left foot loop.

I like the feel of the futura on velocity. It fits in groove real nice and rides well. I hear ya about being too close to tap the cam and have it jump. I do hold my thumb near the top above the cam now and dont run in to the issue of tapping cam. Plus it feels better there. I also have the bigger grip for the futura too. Do you have the smaller/bigger grip??

Using lanyard to clip in to RW, like Kevin showed, works well with any way you go up. At the least it will help keep you closer to your rope, even on standard foot lock, which I end up doing most of the time.