Big Wall and Aid Gear

Recent Big Wall / Aid Gear Reviews

Petzl Shunt

I highly recommend the Shunt. Use with extreme caution like any piece of equipment. Warning: Never attach a lanyard to the little hole at the back to be used as a 'Tow Line'! Warning : Never attach a Lanyard to the little hole at the back to be used as a 'Tow Line'! I use the Shunt for top roping usually with extended friction hitch backup above the Shunt, which is itself extended from the belay loop. Sometimes I use the Shunt for leg loop placement descending backup instead of a friction hitch. Full review

Petzl Ascension

This is a great ascender. This is my favorite handled ascender.  I own three of them. One is retired, and has over 150,000' of rope work on it. The teeth were starting to get too thin, so I replaced it with a new one. The ascender still bites due to Petzl's great design! Full review

Singing Rock Footer Ascender Sling

The Singing Rock Footer Ascender Sling is a quality, adjustable foot tape that allows those using a Frog ascending system to set the right length for climbing rope. As with all Sing Rock equipment I have used, I find it reasonably priced and well worth considering. At the heart of a "Frog" rope ascension system is a foot ascender, with its accompanying foot lanyard. The foot ascender has two lines coming off of it. The first, is the life supporting lanyard that attaches to the harness. The second… Full review

Petzl Shunt

Unnecessary, "psychological" backup. I was terrified of rappelling and ascending ropes 14 years ago. So I bought the Shunt as a "back up" in case I messed up a rappel. The Shunt connects from your harness to the rope above your rappel device. To descend, you must use your non-dominate hand to hold open the cam. If you let go, the cam slams shut, pinching the rope and halting your descent. To that end, this device works fine. HOWEVER, human nature in a fall is to grab hold and squeeze tighter. In… Full review

Singing Rock Puller Chest Ascender Harness

An important part of any ascension system, the Singing Rock Puller Chest Harness is well-made and dependable. I have owned several of these units, retiring them as age requires. They are still available in climbing stores and well worth the few bucks. Singing Rock is a great company, and this is a great item to use with a Frog Ascension System. The harness keeps your chest ascender (I prefer Petzl's Croll) in place on a climb. Without it, a climber would risk the ascender disconnecting from the… Full review

Petzl Pantin

Does what it is supposed to do quite well. I have been using the Patin for years as a supplement to my Frog Ascension. Normally, when you start out ascending a rope, you have to pinch the rope between your feet to get started. This is because, until you get a good 10' off the ground, there is not enough weight on the rope to automatically pull it through the ascenders. Pinching the rope with construction boots on can be a task, and a climber can expend a lot of energy in the initial ascent. The… Full review

Petzl Ascension

The Petzl Ascension is the only foot ascender on the market worth looking at. Although the price is a bit higher, I have known cavers who regretted trying cheaper alternatives. If you are new to rope work, Petzl is the brand to buy...period! So, I have said the same thing on my Petzl Croll review, but in a "Frog" ascending system, the Croll and Ascension are both critical components. You can't safely have one without the other. The Petzl Ascention is the only foot ascender I've ever used for caving. Full review

Petzl Croll

As a component in rope ascending, the Petzl Croll continues to be the best on the market. It is easy to use, even while wearing gloves. It holds true on wet, gritty rope. I have trusted my life to this item numerous times and will continue to do so. Petzl's ascenders are the only ones I've ever used for caving. They work right every time. I can set and remove them while wearing gloves. I literally have trusted my life with them scores of times. Petzl tends to be a bit pricier than other other brands,… Full review

Petzl Ascension

I got the Petzl Ascension ascender to replace my prussik cords for jugging fixed lines. In my search, I tried out numerous types of ascending devices such as the Black Diamond nForce and the Petzl Tibloc, but the Ascension stood out as the best piece for the job. I picked the left handed version so that I switch from using the "double ascender" method of jugging to the ascender/grigri method when I got enough money to guy the grigri. I also carry it along in case I need to perform a self rescue. Full review