-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Anyone use the Ushba Ascenders
- Thread starter R.A.T.
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2006
- Messages
- 367
I've never used one, but I'll bet it puts a lot less wear on your rope than a toothed one (i.e., Petzl). I have heard that the clamp-type ascenders can release unexpectedly if you twist them.
Hey Jeff, I know this is off topic but... I have 1 right hand and 1 left foot ascenders that I bought for caving but never ended up using. I was thinking about selling them, but if you can put them to use out in the jungle I'll just ship them to you.
Edit: And back on topic, nope, no experience with that type of ascender. Let us know how they work out!
Edit: And back on topic, nope, no experience with that type of ascender. Let us know how they work out!
Last edited:
R.A.T.
Randall's Adventure & Training
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2004
- Messages
- 10,400
i have the JUMARS and while they are VERY EASY to ascend with and lock up solid, they "can" open, twist out, if you are not 100% careful on the upstroke and when letting the cam lock on the rope. I have experienced the heart stopping last gasp and OH SH
! feelings of panic as one of mine slipped off the rope.
The USHBA's i have not tried, they are not available here at the local Rescue supply store. Howeve they remind me of the Petzl rope grabs.
I also use the PETZL Micro and Macro Grabs for arborist on rope work. They lock up solid and DO NOT come off the rope.
http://www.petzl.com/us/pro/verticality/rope-clamps/rope-clamps-hauling-and-lifting/micrograb
http://www.petzl.com/us/pro/verticality/rope-clamps/rope-clamps-hauling-and-lifting/macrograb
! feelings of panic as one of mine slipped off the rope. The USHBA's i have not tried, they are not available here at the local Rescue supply store. Howeve they remind me of the Petzl rope grabs.
I also use the PETZL Micro and Macro Grabs for arborist on rope work. They lock up solid and DO NOT come off the rope.
http://www.petzl.com/us/pro/verticality/rope-clamps/rope-clamps-hauling-and-lifting/micrograb
http://www.petzl.com/us/pro/verticality/rope-clamps/rope-clamps-hauling-and-lifting/macrograb
You have good taste in climbing gear.
I use those Ushba ascenders. They are damn good ascenders. Being russian made they are not as common on the market as other brands like Petzl and BD and a lot of people do not know of them.
They are kind of sought after by climbers for their simplicity of design, light weight, bombproof strength and the fact that them seem to be the best at working with frozen or encrusted ropes. They can never twist out like normal jumars. Once they are attached to the rope there is no way of accidentally unhooking from them. This makes them perfect as a back up when climbing with a fixed line as a safety when speed is as issue. It is always sketchy falling on an ascender but Ushba's seem to get used for this quite often and are an accepted method. They use a smooth cam unlike petzl jumars for instance (which have little needle teeth). So if you shock load it or anything funky happens and there is a little slippage, it wont shred your rope.
Another good system for climbing lots and lots of free hanging rope where you want to save your hand, is to use one ushba at your waist and a petzl jumar above with the étrier and lanyard attached to it. The big handle on the petzl jumar makes it easy to "yard up" and stand on the étrier while the ushba on your waist slides up the rope.
I use those Ushba ascenders. They are damn good ascenders. Being russian made they are not as common on the market as other brands like Petzl and BD and a lot of people do not know of them.
They are kind of sought after by climbers for their simplicity of design, light weight, bombproof strength and the fact that them seem to be the best at working with frozen or encrusted ropes. They can never twist out like normal jumars. Once they are attached to the rope there is no way of accidentally unhooking from them. This makes them perfect as a back up when climbing with a fixed line as a safety when speed is as issue. It is always sketchy falling on an ascender but Ushba's seem to get used for this quite often and are an accepted method. They use a smooth cam unlike petzl jumars for instance (which have little needle teeth). So if you shock load it or anything funky happens and there is a little slippage, it wont shred your rope.
Another good system for climbing lots and lots of free hanging rope where you want to save your hand, is to use one ushba at your waist and a petzl jumar above with the étrier and lanyard attached to it. The big handle on the petzl jumar makes it easy to "yard up" and stand on the étrier while the ushba on your waist slides up the rope.