Titanium gear

[Greg]

Check out this ebay online store. http://www.stores.ebay.com/id=58532431 They have some pretty cool gear, lots of titanium... Does anyone have nay experience with these ascenders (ural alp basic)? They are listed on the Storrick web site http://storrick.cnchost.com/VerticalDevicesPage/VerticalHome.shtml with a pretty good review. I recall someone mentioning this ascender being used as a poor mans lock jack. I bought one, when i get it I'll post my opinion.
Greg

 

[treeclimber165]

Looks like a knockoff of the Petzl MiniTraxion. I have the Petzl, works great but can be time consuming attaching and removing from the rope. I've been criticized for using it since it is only rated for 4000lb instead of 5000lb. I may go back to using it for backup on extra-long ascents though.
Think of it more like a one-way pulley. It's no good for descending, the tiny lever that holds the cam open can close with a small bump and slam the toothed cam into the rope, jerking you to a stop and possibly damaging the rope. Check out Sherrill's description and pic of the Mini-Traxion (search item 24047).

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I like his comments on the petzel pantin.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Ushba came up with their gear before Petzl made the Traxions.

The Basic and it's derivations are similar to the Yates Rocker. One of the big differences between the Traxion and the Rocker or Basic is the lack of teeth on the cam. Just a little more rope friendly. Another plus for the Rocker is that it acts as a dynamic fall arrest. The R will slip a little before locking off. This reduces the shock load to the climber and anchor point. I had, but lost, a Mini Traxion. I much prefer the simplicity and operation of the Rocker though. The Rocker slides up the rope without tending much easier. The new Rocker has a cam that can be slid over to lock the device onto the rope.

I've read reviews of Usba gear in mountaineering forums. All are positive. The only negative is that when using the smaller ascender there is a little loss of up ward movement because of the camming action.

Tom

 

[Stumper]

Mike, I like the new Avatar. Self-portrait/radiograph?