Ascender (climbing)

An ascender ( sometimes also referred to as a cable clamp) is a piece of equipment for climbing, in one direction without much effort can slide through a climbing rope, but blocks in the other direction.

Safety requirements for cable clamps and associated test methods are described in the European Standard (EN ) 567.

Operation

Most Ascsension a movable member which is pressed by a spring against the rope ( except Tibloc Petzl ). Under load it clamps firmly addition. Most small teeth are attached to the clamping surface, which penetrate between the fibers of the rope, but without damaging the rope. Thus, the clamping effect is given also in icy ropes. In addition, the ascender has a hole for fixing a carabiner. In the upper hole, a carbine be hooked, which is to prevent the rope from slipping sideways. In order to solve the ascender from the rope and to the clamping effect of repeal ( for example, when descending ), a small lever is available. Often ascenders have a great grip with which they can move up the rope and can also be used to pull himself up the rope.

As a replacement for an ascender is a terminal node as the Prusik knot can be used.

Application

The main application is the so-called Jümarn (the term derives from the Swiss company Jümar and the ascenders of the same name from ), that is, the ascent on the rope with two cable clamps. In this case, an ascender is attached to the harness, a second on a tape loop, in which one increases with the distance. Alternately, the Mountaineers are now rising in the foot loop and pushes the so relieved ascender to the harness on the rope high and sits down in the harness and push the ascender on the foot loop high.

Also, self- assurance in Soloing an ascender can be used. The prerequisite is that the climbing route to reach from above and so can be provided with a fixed rope, which is often possible in climbing areas and halls. The application of these ascenders when lead climbing is ruled out, as the case possible loads with in extreme cases, more than 10 kN breaking load of the typical common terminals (3-5 kN) far exceed.

Cable clamps also be used as a backstop for the construction of pulleys.