Moderator: Tim White
I think the real debate is whether you need one with the frog system or not.
FiddleCaver wrote:My handled ascender serves two purposes. When I'm froggin', it is my upper ascender. When I am rigging, changing over, or looking over the edge it is my QAS.
I like, use and advocate QAS use. But, I don't think it needs to be an extra piece of gear. QAS's are rarely necessary when climbing--on any system. They are more useful while rappelling and doing stuff around a lip. An ascender that can double as QAS is an efficient piece of gear.
Froggers can do this with an upper ascender, if they can find a way to stow it that allows for one-handed deployment and the foot loop doesn't get in the way.
My Texas system uses two handled ascenders, a left and a right. When I'm not climbing, they can be used as QAS's. I find them very useful.
Scott McCrea wrote:Rigging style is the main determiner of how useful a QAS is. A rig that uses rebelays and deviations to avoid all lips and rub spots will have little use for a QAS. An IRT rig with rope pads and lips is a great place for a QAS.
hank moon wrote:IRT may be "trad" but it ain't too smart.
Scott McCrea wrote:hank moon wrote:IRT may be "trad" but it ain't too smart.
Sounds like the start of a new thread, Hank. You can explain why you think IRT ain't smart.
Dwight wrote:FiddleCaver wrote:My handled ascender serves two purposes. When I'm froggin', it is my upper ascender. When I am rigging, changing over, or looking over the edge it is my QAS.
It's just that definition that causes confusion. Tell some (most?) froggers that you have a QAS, and they will expect something in addition to your upper ascender. So I tell people I don't carry a QAS, though I use my upper ascender just as you do. I think doing that is less likely to cause confusion.
hank moon wrote:It's been done to death. If you don't already know why it ain't smart to haul overkill/heavy rope, heavy descenders and ascent systems, QAS, rope pads, etc. up and down caves over and over and over again to maintain a tradition of outdated vertical technique ...well, there's nothing I can do to explain further.
_snip_
These BBS are so ephemeral...
I can't wait for this Fall's cave-in!
Does anyone else see a problem with running three threads at the same time discussing the same thing...?
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