ascenders

[Bradley]

For all you guys using ascenders for srt, how do you attach your slings to the ascender frame. I always used small Maillons but I'm making some new slings and always see guys girth hitching into the bottom hole on Petzl and Cmi ascenders. I wouldn't have a prob. with that on Cmi's but the frame on the Petzl is so thin I'd worry about it cutting into the web over time. It would definitely make for a cleaner setup going to the girth hitch. So tell me, am I being too anal?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Girth hitching webbing has been SOP for rock climbing and mountaineering for years before arbos discovered ascenders.

Tom

 

[Bradley]

Thanks Tom, I girth hitch webbing on everything else but I'm concerned about the thin Petzl frame abrading into the webbing. I've got some Cmi's that are girth hitched and don't worry about it but I like the Petzl ascenders better.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

When you're looking for runner, you might get ones that have a twist in one eye. Instead of the two layers being flat, parallel to each other there is a quarter turn sewn in. When you girth hitch these, the two layers smooth out against each other. You can do the same with a loop runner but you have to work out the twist. The twist will then be in the other part of the runner.

By taking this extra step, you'll have two smooth layers on the eye. Nothing wrong with looking clean and tidy.

Tom

 

[Bradley]

Well that seals the deal, girthed it is. RJS, are you still climbing srt in the same way that you posted awhile back? What length of sling are you using between your VT biner and ascender. Do you ever switch over to descend on srt and what device are you using?

 

[Bradley]

Tom, most of the time I'll hand stitch runners and put that 1/4 twist in there if I can foresee girthing it to something.

 

[appalachianarbo]

I may have to go to the Petzl site and check, but isn't the tie in on the acender supposed to be on the top (double) hole by the cam? I thought I read this somewhere. Whenever I use SRT with a Petzl, I use the bottom hole, but I seem to recall something...

 

[ORclimber]

I use a petzl ball lock. After the ascent the whole works gets clipped to my saddle. What is the advantage of girth hitching, weight?

 

[TreeJunkie]

The only holes which was load rated on the petzl handles is the top ones. What you heard is correct..
I don't attach the handle w/ a sling to myself. As the only time i use the handle is when i am using ddrt over srt, with a microcender back up up top of the handle. I run my rope through a pulley which is attached to the handle w/ a twisted clevis. Since the holes aren't load rated what i've done in the past is use a short 5-6" spectra sling which runs into the top carabiner which attaches to the microscender and the other end of the sling attaches to the twisted clevis.

There is just something i hate about girth hitching. Why not just get a MR, or something equivelent, this is what i use to attach a foot stap to my left handed ascender.

 

[Bradley]

Girthing just makes for a cleaner setup and eliminates one piece of hardware. The stuff that is hitched doesn't flop as much either. I had a girth hitch on my Cmi's but was just concerned about the thin frame on the Petzl. After looking at several different pieces of gear today though, and some gear that has Petzl's doubleback buckles, I've seen webbing run over a piece of metal the same thickness as the ascender body with no ill effects.