BD Alpine Aiders
BD Alpine Aiders
BD Alpine Aiders are a handy addition to the pothole escape kit, working well for hooking and for other methods. They can also be the best way to assist others out of a pothole. They are light and compact - much more so than "real" etriers. A lot less expensive, too. The side-to-side style of aider works better than the ladder style for pothole escapes, as a single aider can be used for both feet on non-overhanging terrain, unlike the ladder style.
And like many pieces of gear I like, it has been discontinued by Black Diamond as of S25.
Color: Black with orange or blue steps
Weight: 187 grams or 6.6 ounces.
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The standard of handled ascenders! Works well, not too heavy, pretty strong. If you are looking for handled ascenders, these are the goods. When exploring canyons, exiting caving-style, or for rescue and SAR work, sometimes there is nothing like a real, handled ascender for getting up a rope.
Resurrected, using a commercially available sling. The new Clipster3 is a great, simple safety leash.
Doing canyons, you're using ropes; from time to time you gotta clip into things. There are other products that work OK, but are heavy and expensive. Those from a climbing background often use a daisy chain, but it is awkward and long, and you don't really need the adjustability of length.
An elegant, simple design for ascending ropes. Now with a nice plastic widget that helps set the teeth into the rope. Use with a large-rod-stock carabiner like the Cypher Iris or the BD RockLock. Very lightweight and handy to have. Fits on ropes 8mm to 11mm, works pretty well on my 6mm pull cord. The downside: sharp teeth can tear up the rope, and it is very hard to move DOWN the rope, for instance when changing back to rappel mode. This is probably the best choice to carry as an emergency ascender. Superlight and compact, not too too pricey, and it does not wear out. Also useful for hauling packs and stuff like that.
BUT: not good on actual 8mm ropes. Very hard to get it grip => tears up the sheath when it does not work. If using the really nice, expensive, modern top-of-the-line ropes, then you definitely can afford a Petzl Basic and MicroTraxion for your ascending kit, to avoid tearing up the rope.
PRO TIPS:
A. Use a round-stock carabiner like the BD Rocklock or Cypher Iris.
B. Clip using the German style for most uses. The French style will work better forcing it past a lip.
C. CAN be used as a progress capture device using the German style, with the rope inside the carabiner. Not the best, but okay.
D. Now that these are wicked expensive, just get a MicroTraxion and Basic, which weigh a little more but work MUCH better.
I carry one of these in my canyoning ascending kit, every day. Well, almost.
Handles are for poofters! Unless you're planning on jugging El Cap, those handles are pretty unnecessary, and add weight and bulk. The Petzl Basic Ascender has all the working parts of the Handled Ascender, with the superfluous handle removed. A good compromise - a full function ascender that works really well, at less weight and bulk.