Compatibility of Toothed Ascenders with Arborist Climbing Ropes    (View PDF)

Brian Kane

Abstract: Climbers are increasingly using ascenders to access trees, both as a substitute for Prusik loops used in footlocking a doubled rope and with the single rope technique. Manufacturers, however, have explicit limitations on use of ascenders, many of which are violated when used in tree climb-ing. Ascenders were tested on four arborist climbing ropes in a dynamic drop test; impact load and arrest distance were measured. Of 67 tests, arrest distance met the EN 12841-2006 Standard (=2 m) only 10 times. Impact loads averaged more than five kN, adding a backup friction hitch to the as-cender increased impact load to more than six kN. Climbers need to be made aware of the appropriate use of ascenders, and only use compatible ropes.

Keywords: Ascender; Climbing; Rope.

https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2011.024