Petzl Handled Ascender
Petzl Handled Ascender
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.
Petzl says:
“Our handled ascenders have been refined to provide greater comfort, efficiency, ease of use. The ergonomically shaped handle is over molded with dual density grip for greater friction and better grip. The grip is wider at the bottom, providing better comfort for your pinkie fingers during use. The index finger indent has also been increased, offering greater efficiency when pulling on the ascender. The cam has been redesigned to minimize friction when sliding the ascender up the rope while the angled teeth provide secure grip in the worst conditions (wet, icy, or muddy ropes). The geometry of the single piece aluminum frame ensures optimal handle orientation when the device is loaded and will maintain solid, comfortable performance for ascents of any length.
Molded grip provides even greater comfort with a more ergonomically shaped handle. This shape keeps your hand from sliding to the bottom of the frame each time you pull on the ASCENSION. The bi-material handle includes a rubber over molded grip, increasing the comfort and grip in wet or icy conditions.
Chrome-plated steel cam with angled teeth and self-cleaning slot securely grips the rope, even in muddy or icy conditions
Ergonomic trigger allows one-handed installation and removal
Mono-frame construction eliminates weaknesses and keeps the ascender lightweight and durable for years of use
The two attachment points allow for different uses (e.g. self- belaying, hauling systems, etc.)
Anodized frames are color coded for easy identification (black -left / gray -right)
Safety catch prevents the cam from opening too far, helping
to keep the rope captured for added safety
1 cm secondary hole at the bottom will accommodate a screw link for attaching aiders, slings, etc.”
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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.
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.