Ascending Devices - Gear Reviews

[rcwild]

Ascending fixed ropes is a critical skill for all canyoneers. It is used for escape, retreat and buddy rescue. Your choice of ascending device(s) should be based on versatility and efficiency.

This is the place to share your gear reviews. Please help us keep this forum organized by posting all of your ascending device related reviews as replies to this message (use the "PostReply" button). Ask questions or start a new thread by using the "NewTopic" button. Thank you.

[vegasnative]

I like the ropeman 2... There small, light weight and versatile... Typically carry two with me into the canyon...

[mountain man]

I like the ropeman 2... There small, light weight and versatile... Typically carry two with me into the canyon...

some great threads on the ropeman

Tibloc vs. Ropeman (http://www.canyoneering.net/forums/showthread.php?2026-Tibloc-vs-Ropeman)
Ropeman 2 as PCD (http://www.canyoneering.net/forums/showthread.php?3869-Ropeman-2-as-a-PCD)

[prometheus]

I know I will catch a lot of crap for this but hey what are friends for right. My personal gear is a pair of full size petzel ascenders. They are big and bulky and I guess some would call them heavy but for me at least what they lose in one area I think they make up in others, manly the handles make coming over an edge a breeze you can easily work them with gloves on and so far they are holding up pretty good with no ill effects on my ropes I tried to use a tibloc and came to the conclusion that if my life depended on it and my hands were really cold I think I would end up getting myself high enough on the rope to make body identification a little easier. I know lots of folks swear by them for their simplicity "i do have one for an emergency back up and I even try to use it once in a while" but for me the ounces I save are easier missed with a good healthy movement before I leave. Maybe as my skill increases I will move to more simplistic gear, but for now give me handles and let me not hold up a group because my ascenders are lost in my clammy hands.

[rcwild]

I hope you don't catch any crap here. Sounds like you have gone through the process by which all good choices are made. You listened to opinions, pros and cons, then decided what works best for you.

[prometheus]

hmm interesting thought about them being "light use" according to their web site my petzl ascension ascenders are rated and recomended for use by them not just for aided climbing but also as a self belay and a pcd in a haul system. i agree in multi use items that can help lighten a load that is one of the reasons I chose these over other types of ascenders not to mention their ease of use. The sport that we engage in is full of assumed risks and dangers I think that is one of the draws for us all, the challenge in overcoming these with our skill, knowledge and equipment to behold the magic that can only be found in a canyon (not to take anything away from the majesty of a cave, you folks are a whole other breed of crazy:) :):) ) having read reviews and specs until I was convinced that my $145 would be well spent, you can read into this "I love to spend money but hate to waste it on gear I am not sure of" I purchased the Ascension ascenders. I am not sure if they would be rated for rescue use but I know from photos posted on well recognized rescue training sites that they are indeed put into rescue service, having spent time on a small town rope rescue crew when I was much younger I know that everything in high angle work is way overkill, in an effort to provide the highest level of safety for both victim and rescuer, in canyoning we often use anchors that would never be considered in a rescue application (a single well placed bolt or chock stone) I guess what I am trying to say is that used improperly or carelessly any piece of equipment we use could lead us to that great rope maker in the sky.

[prometheus]

please I love the discussion it keeps the mind sharp, first my bad - my name is Ernest glad to meet you all. I was only responding to the comment that I should not use them in a MA haul set up.........in kind I would like to clarify that as being a system used to aide a buddy out of a jam as in an impromptu rescue not a rescue that you are taking into account a 5x safety factor as an 8mm rope would not provide that for two men on a line and I think just barely if at all for one man on rope and no where on the packaging or their web site can I find reference to these ascenders being for light use while I make the use of best practices when rigging and inspecting any descent and probably would even double or triple check a potential buddy rescue or assist I also said.........any device when used outside of its intended application or when used improperly can and often does lead to tragic results, thanks for the comments hope to meet up with some of you guys someday.



Ernest

[smorga]

Ken,

First a clarification -

The Pro version of the Petzl ascension and the recreation version of the Petzl ascension are identical. Occasional hauling (progress capture) concerns would apply equally to both versions.

Now a few questions -

How did you arrive at the necessity for a 5:1 safety factor for recreational canyoneering? Is this your personal goal?

Overall I’m having trouble understanding your message. Are you warning recreational canyoneers not to use Petzl Ascension devices, Tiblocs, Ropeman ascenders and the like for recreational canyoneering self-rescue? What device(s) do you recommend recreational canyoneers utilize for self-rescue?

You mention “what I’ve learned has been through mistakes”. It might add more value if you could elaborate on your involvement in a rescue situation where the rope sheath has been damaged.