It is easy to get tired when climbing very tall trees. It is for this reason that climbing tools and devices are continually being developed to help make tree climbing an easier and more enjoyable activity. One of these devices is the CMI Foot Ascender.
This ascending tool is intended to supplement rather than replace hand-held ascenders. It consists of a rotating cam that locks the ropes against an enclosing shell when weighted down. The shell and cam are clasped to a strap which is wound around the ankle. A second strap runs down to the boot’s instep from the first and climbs back up on the other side of the boots to connect with the shell. The shell and cam are positioned at the inner side of the boots.
With the CMI Foot Ascender the tension of the rope is maintained as it is weighted down. This makes moving the main ascender upwards easier. Also, since you can actually stand on the foot ascender, your body can assume an upright posture promoting better body mechanics.
The CMI Foot Ascender is made out of aluminum making it a lightweight device. In spite of its light weight, it is of heavy-duty construction. The shell is anodized while the cam is hard coated as a protection against corrosion and wear.
The cam is ribbed contributing to its light weight. It is smooth and lacks spikes thus eliminating the possibility of tearing your ropes in case of overloading. It works with 10 mm to 13 mm ropes although bigger ropes will not fit. With the 10 and 13 mm, however, you can use them even if they are muddy.
These ascenders are available in right and left foot versions.