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Input Needed: heightec-PMI Twist Ascender Wear

PostPosted: Jul 7, 2015 8:18 pm
by ianreuter10
I have been using a PMI twist ascender as a chest ascender in my frog setup for the past 13 months or so. In that time I have climbed somewhere in the neighborhood of 13,000 feet, mostly on dirty/muddy ropes. As of the last two days the ascender has started to slip a high percentage of time. Yesterday we rappelled a 150 foot cliff, and on the way back up I started to notice some slippage. Today in the backyard running through a 360 foot rope the slippage continued to worsen. The first 300 feet or so it was probably slipping every 20 strokes or so, however by the end of the second time through the rope it was slipping every stroke. As this is my first PMI heightec ascender I don't really know what to expect for a lifespan. Looking at the teeth, they appear to be quite worn, especially the upper most left tooth. Comparing it to a new twist ascender the teeth feel significantly duller. This seems to indicate that the ascender is wearing out, however it seems like if this is indeed the case, the lifespan on this ascender is particularly short. I'm curious if this short lifespan falls inline with what other hieghtec ascender/croll users are experiencing? Any input would be appreciated. I have also attached a couple of pictures of the ascender so you guys can see the wear I'm talking about. If you think it shouldn't be affecting its grab ability, please let me know. I felt like I was using pretty good form but I don't know.

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Re: Input Needed: heightec-PMI Twist Ascender Wear

PostPosted: Jul 8, 2015 10:24 am
by gindling
I bought one of those ascenders from PMI a few years back and after a bit more than a year of caving I was having slipping issues as well. If you look at the teeth they come out perpendicular to the face of the cam, now look at a Petzl cam and you can see that the teeth curve downward lightly. I think that downward slope of the teeth on the Petzl helps them from becoming worn down when you slide it up on the rope. Even after many years of pit bouncing and muddy horror hole caving in TAG, my original retired petzl croll still has sharper teeth and better hold, though still very worn down, than my year and a half old CMI croll. I don't think it has to do with your form, just the design of the tool.

Re: Input Needed: heightec-PMI Twist Ascender Wear

PostPosted: Jul 11, 2015 9:43 pm
by ianreuter10
Thanks for the input gindling. Its nice to hear that I am not the only one who has experienced this issue. Ill definitely look into the petzl croll when purchasing future chest ascenders.