The Ropeman is a lightweight rope ascender designed as a back-up or emergency tool. It weighs only 85 grams, but it has a strength of mbs 3375 lbf. Its strength on rope is rated at 880 lbf.
This ascender consists of shells with a cam sandwiched in between them. This cam is made of aluminum and is machined with ridges looking like the letter “Z”. It is attached to a shaft that also holds the shells. In order to open the Ropeman, one of the shells pivots around this shaft. The Z-shaped teeth clamp the rope when the ascender is engaged. Ideal ropes for this are those sized 10-11 mm UIAA Single Ropes.
A rope is inserted by first swinging the shell open. The cam is pulled with the attached cable, and the rope slid in. After closing the shell, it is secured by a carabiner to which the slings are attached. In order not to accidentally drop the Ropeman if it has to be removed, it is recommended that the other end of the cable attached to the cam should be attached to the carabiner.
A variation of the Ropeman is Ropeman II. The main difference between them is that instead of the Z-teeth cam on the former, the Ropeman II’s cam has conical teeth on a curved surface. Also, instead of aluminum, it is made of stainless steel.
Wild Country Ropeman ascenders can be purchased in blue or yellow, while the Ropeman II is available in gold.