video showing proper use of ascenders

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You asked for a video of ascenders and I posted the best one that I know of. It's a great system and has praise from high places.



If you want to dance I can dance. If you want to learn, act like it.



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not for nothing but isnt that the same video I posted like 5 replies earlier. Come on Treeco try and keep up here.
 
Guess what? Got Plas a Gig. How is Sat? Worth the drive to get up and make some more cuts? ................................. and there's fifty bucks in it for ya. Something I would handle in a minute and you could do this. Perfect entry level and you have to help me throw it on the truck. Don't really need a chainsaw.

Nice job Dan nice to see someone helping out the someone learning not to mention tossing them some cash for it.
 
IMHO when you design or set up I would think about ensuring that the left side can be removed and re hooked while on rope. Looking at S-J's set up (which looks good) just releasing that left pantin and letting it hang while working (like in video) would be fine for rec climbing and light trimming. But if your really moving around and swinging taking that pantin to the knee or shin could really suck. Just a though.
 
Thanks for the pics.

So I see that several people are recommending the CMI over the Petzl Pantin. The CMI stays on the rope a lot better apparently?

The Petzl foot ascender will come off the rope if a slack loop in the rope drops back through the asecender. Some consider this an asset since they can release the rope by moving their foot in 'just-the-right-way'. But, that means the rope can 'pop' out unexpectedly if you or the rope move wrong. You have to be more aware of how and how not to move with the Petzl.

However, the CMI will not come off the rope unless released by the user. Of course, all ascenders are susceptable to dirt, twiggs, clothing, etc. and will slip or 'drop' the rope. However, I found the CMI to be more worry free, more robustly constructed, cheaper, and it's 'teeth' are less likely to damage the rope.
 
IMHO when you design or set up I would think about ensuring that the left side can be removed and re hooked while on rope. Looking at S-J's set up (which looks good) just releasing that left pantin and letting it hang while working (like in video) would be fine for rec climbing and light trimming. But if your really moving around and swinging taking that pantin to the knee or shin could really suck. Just a though.

Very true (except the "really suck" part, lol). I've been in some really difficult situations where the knee ascender got in the way. But, it's on a bungee, it has always been fairly easy to flip it out of the way. It's certainly no worse than keeping my lanyard clear and A LOT easier than keeping my hand saw clear. But, if I have a big mess to work around, it takes less than a minute to remove and bag both ascenders, and secure footlock for awhile.

Another important point to note, is the right ascender. It's good to remove it 'in the heat of battle' because any ascender on the foot can really damage a tree if not really careful.

The Double Line Rope Walker should be considered a very efficient 'climbing aid', only. Once most of the contiuous up part is over, it's easy to bag it and go to work. Most of the time though, when the work is simple and open, it can be left on without any hassle.
 
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Yea, Dan is the man. Working with a forum member has been a very positive experience. Any other forum members in contact or is this somewhat rare due to geographic location?


Nice job Dan nice to see someone helping out the someone learning not to mention tossing them some cash for it.
 
The job is for a good client who over the years I have brought in other climbers for the soul reason a having another climber on the ground. One was a job that took the guy half a day on a hazard TD which was worth the 300. Then it was major dead a bunch of wide tall oaks for days on end. I did one tree cause I was so bored but the guy took the job which was tough and climbed all the big ones himself. I just had to listen to him grumble and clean up the mess. he did two trees a day for 300. I didn't give him an argument.
What we have to do sat could be posted in the rec forum and I was going to lop it out myself or something like that, just be a couple of sticks to toss on and wave a rake at.
 
Do you have to go to a smaller climbing line with the DLRW or can I still use my safety blue? Probably not by the sounds of it huh??

Safety Blue is 13mm. I'm using Fire XTC at 13mm.

I did find the CMI to be just little friendlier on 13mm than the Petzl.
CMI is spec'd from 9-16mm; Petzl, 11-13mm. (ref. Sherrill)

So, I think you're good to go.
 
Safety Blue is 13mm. I'm using Fire XTC at 13mm.

I did find the CMI to be just little friendlier on 13mm than the Petzl.
CMI is spec'd from 9-16mm; Petzl, 11-13mm. (ref. Sherrill)

So, I think you're good to go.

Sweet! Thanks man!

The reason I was asking is because I have two pretty much brand new 150' SB climb lines - one spliced, and one old school. So I really dont need another just yet - but that walker is an interesting concept... I like it.

Does anyone know if that PI always hockles like in that vid?? or was that piece just new or something? I was thinking when I get a new rope next time that the PI is already matching the company colors, had my eye on that sinse it came out.
 
Sweet! Thanks man!

The reason I was asking is because I have two pretty much brand new 150' SB climb lines - one spliced, and one old school. So I really dont need another just yet - but that walker is an interesting concept... I like it.

Does anyone know if that PI always hockles like in that vid?? or was that piece just new or something? I was thinking when I get a new rope next time that the PI is already matching the company colors, had my eye on that sinse it came out.

I noticed that, too. It's really hard to get a good view of his hitch in that vid. So, I'm just guessing, it could be the way he ties the vt. I don't use a vt, but I've been told if you tie it so one strand is always in contact with the rope it will hockle. I understand it's recommended to alternate the weave portion of the vt so it won't hockle the rope.
 
I've never had trouble with the Pantin accidentally coming off of 1/2 inch safety blue. It is though. It may be that the smaller ropes come off easier accidentally.
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It does make sense. However, If I remember right, it came off accidentally once in the vid. So, I picked the CMI partly because some people complained about the Petzl coming off and I also like the way the CMI is made. But, like I said; Petzl's "easy to kick off on purpose" could be a real asset.

I doesn't really matter, they both work with the DLRW - pick your favorite - all part of building a personal system.
 
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Occasionally I teach a climbing class, so I purchased a cmi foot ascender for students to use, because the pantin I have does pop off the rope when students use it. The locking feature does stop the rope from coming out, but also complictes removal from the rope. When you draw your knee to your chest to release the cam there must be zero rope pressure on the ascender or the cam won't open. The pantin takes a little getting used to but you can take it on and off with no hands. There is a hole in the ascnder shell if you want to lock the pantin to the rope you can use a mini ****** behind the cam until you reach your destination. The cmi is built like a brick, in my opinion it is overbuilt for its purpose. It is not used for life support. The pantin is more streamlined and is less cumbersome. Just my 2 cents.

Corey
P.S. Cmi ultra ascender is the best handled ascender made, while Petzl handles are only marginal.
 
Occasionally I teach a climbing class, so I purchased a cmi foot ascender for students to use, because the pantin I have does pop off the rope when students use it. The locking feature does stop the rope from coming out, but also complictes removal from the rope. When you draw your knee to your chest to release the cam there must be zero rope pressure on the ascender or the cam won't open. The pantin takes a little getting used to but you can take it on and off with no hands. There is a hole in the ascnder shell if you want to lock the pantin to the rope you can use a mini ****** behind the cam until you reach your destination. The cmi is built like a brick, in my opinion it is overbuilt for its purpose. It is not used for life support. The pantin is more streamlined and is less cumbersome. Just my 2 cents.

Corey
P.S. Cmi ultra ascender is the best handled ascender made, while Petzl handles are only marginal.

Question: Isn't it true for ALL cammed ascenders that; "to release the cam there must be zero rope pressure on the ascender or the cam won't open"?

Not sure you want to teach your students, but you can release the CMI foot ascender by locking the the cam open with the toe of the other boot.

Anyway, good info post. Excellent choice for students - the CMI's will last longer for the beating students will give them. But, both foot ascenders are good (and bad) for different reasons - whatever fits your style.
 
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Question: Isn't it true for ALL cammed ascenders that; "to release the cam there must be zero rope pressure on the ascender or the cam won't open"?

Not sure you want to teach your students, but you can release the CMI foot ascender by locking the the cam open with the toe of the other boot.

Anyway, good info post. Excellent choice for students - the CMI's will last longer for the beating students will give them. But, both foot ascenders are good (and bad) for different reasons - whatever fits your style.

After having a Pantin come off the rope several times today, I might go with the CMI. Granted, it was the FIRST time I had ever used it, but unless you have *perfect* form, it's going to come out here and there.
 
You don't have to have 20 years experience in the trees to have an opinion about a simple mechanical device.

Additionally, since all I've done so far on this forum is ask questions...TAKE from the forum, I really want to try to give something back, even if it's an opinion on a little gadget. I understand that it's unlikely anybody will listen tome, but I still want to contribute a *little* bit.


Hell yes it's still a good thread and even better now that you are doing equipment reviews!:cheers:





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