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Which Ascenders would you recommend

Original Post
philip Boneware · · palmer, ak · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 70

i am wanting to get a pair of ascenders, and i keep hearing different things from different people.

I am trying to decide between petzl and Black Diamond.

Any suggestions??

Pros and cons

Thanks

John McNamee · · Littleton, CO · Joined Jul 2002 · Points: 1,690

I have three sets of ascenders:

1. Old jumars - grey
2. Newer jumars - Yellow
3. Petzl Ascensions (gold and blue)

The Petzl's Ascensions are the main ones I use since they're the most comfortable and in the best shape.

I have tried the Black Diamond Nforce clamps and I didn't take to them. They're heavy and have lots of moving parts. However, they're very well made and I'm sure they're not going to break on you. Supposedly they work better than any other clamp on icy or muddy ropes but I haven't tested this.

There is a good review of them over on rc.com by Kate who has a lot of wall experience that might help.

rockclimbing.com/gear/Detai…

The reason why I didn't buy them was the action to enable and disable the clamp. I found this to be awkward and I had to keep moving my hand up the handle each time so that I was able to reach the release. If you have large hand or were wearing gloves this wouldn't be a issue and these clamps might fit you well. With my Petzl's I can do it in my sleep.

Some other good things about them is that the bottom biner hole is large enough to rotate the biner all the way through. You can't do this on Petzl's.

Hope this helps some.

philip Boneware · · palmer, ak · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 70

Thank you for the lengthy and helpful reply.

I was thinking about the weight thing as well, there seems to be quite a difference and i am always a little worried about lots of moving parts.

I will have to do a little more thinking, but think i might just go with the petzl.

Thanks again.

Steve Powell · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2002 · Points: 915

if they're good enough for Kate, they're good enough for me.

John McNamee · · Littleton, CO · Joined Jul 2002 · Points: 1,690

I don't think the moving parts are a concern. Its not like they're made in a garage in Wyoming!

Just try to test or borrow some before you buy them as they're likely be part of your kit for quite some time. A good shop should let you test them on a rope hanging from a ceiling, just like testing harnesses, etc...

Sam Lightner, Jr. · · Lander, WY · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 2,732

The Petzls are awesome. I dont use anything else.

Wiled Horse · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2002 · Points: 3,669

petzl. tried and true.

i messed with the BD ones when they first came out. didnt buy em, though.... be careful with those. they have a pinch point, where if you are not careful, can cut your finger off. especially on skinny ropes. i have demonstrated with a carrot. if you weight the ascender and "happen" to get your finger in the trigger, ( the one to disengage the cam) then it can get pinched. guess i should have been more careful. but i figure, if it can happen, it will. especially after jugging thousands of feet when you are tired and complacent. imagine if you were cleaning a pitch quickly, and moving your top ascender passed a piece. the moment you put the ascender back on, their is a split second that you are both weighting it and have your finger in there. yikes.

ALSO,
i have noticed that when you do pul back on the trigger, then the cam teeth rub the rest of your hand/glove. again, not a big deal, but can be annoying or break skin after a while. the Petzls dont do these things.

therefore, if you must use these, just disengage the cam with your thumb like normal operations. bit too complicated, but good idea with the mechanical advantage...
they are probably bad ass for icy lines, but i tend to stay away from such.

hope i made sense.

RobR · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 10

I have a pair of KONGs and they are great best cam release I have seen. Very easy to use one handed with or with out heavy mitts.

Sam Lightner, Jr. · · Lander, WY · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 2,732

If I remember correctly, the petzls can hold a factor 1 fall on an 11mm rope. Thats impressive.
I have had ice and leaves jam my ascenders... I have never felt like adding to the cam factor, as the new BD's do, was what I needed. It just crushes your rope more.
Petzl may not have perfected the tool, but no one has been able to improve on their design.

Remember the Gri Gri,
Sam

John McNamee · · Littleton, CO · Joined Jul 2002 · Points: 1,690

Another review of the BD Ascenders

alpinist.com/doc/web07f/ms-…

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Big Wall and Aid Climbing
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