Climbing mountains, cliffs and other steep surfaces is not an easy task. It is an extremely risky activity which is impossible to do without the assistance of climbing aids. One of these climbing aids is a rope ascender. Rope ascenders help you climb steep surfaces more easily and also prevent you from falling off, which could injure or kill you. If you are an amateur climber, it can be difficult to choose the most appropriate rope ascender. This article is about some factors you should consider when choosing a rope ascender.
One thing you should consider is the technological features of the rope ascender. Improvements are being made to rope ascenders over time. Older models were less efficient, difficult to use and more likely to malfunction when using them. It is, therefore, safer to look for the latest models that have the best features in the market. You should also look at the materials that the rope ascender consists of. The ropes should be made of strong fabrics that cannot snap due to the high tension it will get exposed to as you use it. The metal parts should also have protective coatings to prevent rusting which weakens them.
You also have to take into consideration the price of the rope ascender. You should look for a high-quality rope ascender being sold at the lowest cost in the market. The prices of rope ascenders vary from one vendor or manufacturer to another. You can then compare the prices of various rope ascenders to find one that is off good quality but also affordable. Expensive rope ascenders are not necessarily the most efficient ones or of the best quality. You should first look at the features and quality of the rope ascender before making a purchase.
One more factor to consider is the maximum weight capacity of the rope ascender. This is obviously an extremely important feature to consider. After determining your weight, you should look for a rope ascender that can support more than that to be safe. If a rope ascender is below your weight class, you should not buy it as it might snap while you are climbing and hurt you badly. It is advisable to choose a rope ascender that is way above your weight class just to be safe.
You should also consider the durability of the rope ascender. As long as a rope ascender is in good condition, you can use it without having to worry about it malfunctioning. Durable rope ascenders are more resistant to wear and tear and can, therefore, serve for longer periods. They are also less likely to deteriorate due to tension caused by excessive weight when using it. Non-durable rope ascenders can be quite cheap, but they can break or malfunction much sooner than you expect and in the worst possible situations. The rope ascenders should also have labels indicating how long they are safe to use. There should also be instructions to help users check for signs of malfunctioning or deterioration to help them avoid risking their lives.
