Consisting of two pairs of CMI Ultracenders, tether that attaches to the saddle, handle and step assemblies, the Mar-Bar Ascending System offers an easy and efficient way to climb tall trees using a dual line system. With this system, you alternate between standing on the steps and hanging from the handles. There are actually several climbing methods you can use with the Mar-Bar system –the inchworm, frog, short frog, and pogo.
The handle and step assemblies are made up of a belt, an insert, rope and handle chaff guards, and the handles and steps. These parts are assembled along with the CMI Ultracenders into the hand or upper and the foot or lower Mar-Bar. The finished hand Mar-Bar looks like two 90° triangles sharing the same vertical axis. This axis is actually a pair of Ultracenders. For the foot Mar-Bar the pointed upper tip of the triangles is replaced with a flat design making it wider at the top. This is necessary to accommodate your shod feet.
The Mar-Bar is attached to the rope by first opening the safety catch, and then the cam. Lock the cam by slotting in its teeth into the indentions at the back of the safety catch. Insert the rope and free the safety catch. This, in turn, releases the cam allowing it to press the rope against the Mar-Bar’s body.
The tether is attached to the Ultracender. Its looped end is inserted into the lower hole of the ascender and secured using a girth hitch. Its other end is attached to the harness or saddle with double-locking carabiners. Its length can be adjusted to suit the chosen climbing method. With inchworm it should be long enough to allow you to fully extend your arms upwards. For frog, the length is usually about half of that for inchworm. Short frog is even shorter. Pogo requires the same length as frog.