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The Power of Ascenders

If you're going to go rock climbing, it's always a good idea to bring a fellow climber. Having someone to spot you makes the situation safer, and if things do turn bad, you have someone who can get help for you. That being said, solo rock climbing has its own appeal. Still, you don't want to move into soloing the mountains until you've learned the ropes and gotten the additional equipment needed for effective solo rock climbing. Among these pieces of gear, ascenders and pulley are two of the most important.

The point of ascenders can be explained pretty easily. They allow you to put your climb on pause while you “hang around” for a while and take a break. The ascender is clipped to the ropes to prevent any sliding of the rope and to equalize weight distribution.

A few types of ascenders are on the market today. Petzl Shunt, Petzl Tibloc, and Jumar ascenders are all effective, although they each function slightly differently. The Jumar is used for a single rope climb, They're useful for rescues and they're fast to use, but keep in mind that it can damage the rope. The Tibloc is a mini-Jumar that's incredibly light and easy to take with you, while a Shunt is designed for use with rappels.

Whatever style or brand you choose, just keep in mind that ascenders are incredibly important when solo climbing and useful even when climbing with a partner. It's not a huge investment, and it's not heavy, so be sure to take it with you on your next adventure.