This Petzl ascender is designed to be held by both hands. It is perfect for ascending double ropes in trees when using the traditional footlock technique or Petzl’s Pantin foot ascenders. A climber needs only to clamp the Ascentree on the upper part of the rope, raises his knee and wraps the lower end of the rope around his foot to secure a footlock, propels himself upwards with a good kick, and pushes the ascender upwards. It will automatically clamp the rope and lock it when it is weighed down.
The handgrips of the Ascentree are ergonomically molded. This mold assures a secure and strong grip, while at the same time remaining comfortable to the hands. They are also wide enough to accommodate gloved hands so that you can use them even in cold weather.
The toothed cam is completely integrated into the rope clamp. It has been designed, in spite of its tooth, to minimize rope abrasion. Climbing ropes sized from 8 – 13 mm in diameter can be used with the Ascentree. For their easy installation and removal, the cam can be retracted.
There are five holes in the Ascentree, three at the bottom and two at the top. Those at the bottom can be used to connect lanyards. The two at the top can attach to carabiners where a prusik hitch can be tied and act as a back-up belay.
This rope clamp weighs in at less that 14 ounces, and comes in yellow and black grips and silver frame.