Mastaclimba v Easy Climb

Climbers and cavers and more recently tree surgeons have been ascending and descending ropes safely for a long time and none of these more expensive bits of kit developed for the boating market seem to surpass the safety and strength of devices like Petzel Ascenders, where the rope cannot physically become detached from the ascender without the securing snap link first being removed. 2 ascenders and two snap links at under £100 cannot be beaten and these devices can also be used to assist in MOB and other rope retrieval and hauling uses.
 
catalac08 said:
none of these more expensive bits of kit developed for the boating market seem to surpass the safety and strength of devices like Petzel Ascenders, where the rope cannot physically become detached from the ascender without the securing snap link first being removed.
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I agree with the general point that there's a lot to be learned from the climbing world - if I had a mast I needed to climb then I might well start by going to a decent climbing shop and asking for their advice on kit and technique. But I'm not sure why you pick the rope "physically becom[ing] detached" as a problem needing solving - both the marine devices on this page pass the rope through a metal tube, so it's utterly impossible (even more so than for the climbing kit) for the ascender to come off the rope.

Pete
 
I've put together my own kit using a pair of Petzel Ascenders, a plank of wood, a sacrificial line and a trapeze harness. The only bit I needed to buy extra was the pair of ascenders - I had the rest!

For me, using legs to get yourself up the mast is far easier than trying to get ppl to winch you up. The plank of wood/foot board makes a good solid platform where ever you want to work - including getting you to above the top of the mast.

It isn't a singlehanded system though - I need someone to take up a safety line.
I could run a 3rd ascender up a safety line if I really needed to go up singlehanded - but I was glad SWMBO was at the bottom last time I went to our masthead - I got seasick with all the passing boats and needed to get down PDQ!
 
catalac08 said:
Climbers and cavers and more recently tree surgeons have been ascending and descending ropes safely for a long time and none of these more expensive bits of kit developed for the boating market seem to surpass the safety and strength of devices like Petzel Ascenders, where the rope cannot physically become detached from the ascender without the securing snap link first being removed. 2 ascenders and two snap links at under £100 cannot be beaten and these devices can also be used to assist in MOB and other rope retrieval and hauling uses.
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Oh dear!

Petzl Ascendeur can unhook from the rope; I know, I've done it. Furthermore, the spikes are hardly kind to the rope.

For the record, I use an Ascendeur on a safety harness (as well as the chair and MastaClimba combination). I clip it on to whatever is around as a back-up (which is under my control).

I was told at the SBS by a professional rigger, that Grigris and Shunts have now been banned for MOD work as they are unsafe.

As an addendum, there is some interest from the caving fraternity in the MastaClimba the reason given is that climbing with two hands shifting the Ascendeur (/Prussic/others) is very tiring. The same comment has been made about the Topclimber.
 
Graham_Wright said:
As an addendum, there is some interest from the caving fraternity in the MastaClimba the reason given is that climbing with two hands shifting the Ascendeur (/Prussic/others) is very tiring. The same comment has been made about the Topclimber.
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The Topclimber needs a bit of practice to get right, the first couple of times I used it, it was very tiring, but now with a taut rope and unloading the grippers fully before moving them I now find it a very relaxed way to get to the top of the mast.
 
Graham_Wright said:
…………generally too difficult and tiring. I think the big difference is that you need two hands on the rope which means you can swing around a lot - bit exciting at sea!
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Sorry that's wrong, quite easy to go up with one hand, with the other steadying, it is slower than a 2 handed approach especially when going down.

Practise and technique is King, wouldn't want to over egg the amount of time taken to master it as I reckon it only took a couple of trial runs before I'd cracked it.
 
yesod said:
turn the marketing knob down a bit please.
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Sorry! I am always nervous about that but you must expect me to defend my end!

We have probably spoken to well over a couple of thousand people at shows and boat jumbles and the MastaClimba feedback has been universally positive and enthusiastic.

Although we are in the business of selling, I like to think we can pass on tips and warnings gleaned along the way. Hugging the mast is the big one, certainly at sea. Holding on to a line, means that some of the effort used when straightening the legs, is expended moving outwards rather than all downwards.

Using some safety backup is not universally followed either. Mast climbing is not the occasion to be macho.

We have also heard too many stories about electric winches. Jamming on is the real frightener and one gentleman recounted using his anchor winch and displaying the missing finger as evidence.
 
Vara said:
Sorry that's wrong, quite easy to go up with one hand, with the other steadying, it is slower than a 2 handed approach especially when going down.
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Yes, - I can see that. I guess you can hang onto the mast and use the free hand to shift the ascenders sequentially. I have never tried a Topclimber myself; I can only report what I have been told.
 
In theory I rather like the look of the Petzl Pantins. One on each foot (the black strap round your ankle and the stripy one under the foot) and march up the rope. Obviously you'd want a harness to hold your upper body into the rope as well, attached via some other one-way device as the pantins do not seem to lock positively onto the rope. Probably need a rope for each foot to let them slide past each other, so it's a lot of gear but would certainly be quick. Perhaps one for riggers who are up and down every other day.

Pete
 
Graham_Wright said:
Oh dear!

Petzl Ascendeur can unhook from the rope; I know, I've done it. Furthermore, the spikes are hardly kind to the rope.

I was told at the SBS by a professional rigger, that Grigris and Shunts have now been banned for MOD work as they are unsafe.

As an addendum, there is some interest from the caving fraternity in the MastaClimba the reason given is that climbing with two hands shifting the Ascendeur (/Prussic/others) is very tiring. The same comment has been made about the Topclimber.
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The Petzl ascenders are designed to detach from the rope but when in use would require someone rather cack-handed to achieve this by accident. They cannot be detached when loaded, Graham. Further, for the number of times a spiked ascender will go up a rope, any unkindness to the rope is negligible.

Grigris and shunts are not unsafe, though there are persons wishing them replaced by more complex and weightier and more revenue generating alternatives. The situations where they become unsafe is when they are used by those not following instructions and in a manner for which they have not been designed.
I know about these bits of kit having used them in my daily working life for close to 18 years
 
hrchivers said:
I've just bought a Mast Ladder from George Deffee (http://www.gdeffee.freeserve.co.uk/) and can recommend it as another option. Because it uses sail sliders that fit into your mainsail track it is very stable. I use a climbing harness and ascender on a separate halyard as a safety line, and for 'resting' in the seat.

+1 I use exactly same systems. The Deffee mast ladder is a made to size and it is a very useful piece of equipment.
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If you really want to have a simple, safe way to get up your mast easily, think very seriously about fitting mast steps. I have fixed ones on the mizzen, and folding ones on the main. Both are excellent. Previously I used a home made plywood device with footholes, and jamb cleat, but the mast steps are far superior.
 
afterpegassus said:
The Petzl ascenders are designed to detach from the rope but when in use would require someone rather cack-handed to achieve this by accident. They cannot be detached when loaded, Graham. Further, for the number of times a spiked ascender will go up a rope, any unkindness to the rope is negligible.
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Having seen the teeth we used a spare line hauled up on the halyard - having pulled a couple strands on that spare line I'm glad I did!!
 
afterpegassus said:
The Petzl ascenders are designed to detach from the rope but when in use would require someone rather cack-handed to achieve this by accident.
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Ok, so I'm cack-handed but it happened!

Further, for the number of times a spiked ascender will go up a rope, any unkindness to the rope is negligible.
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After over 2000 ascents (on the 15' demo mast), there is no noticeable wear on our ascent line using a MastaClimba. (Furthermore, all were performed using the original and no parts have been changed in it).

Grigris and shunts are not unsafe,
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If you read the post properly, I said that "I had been told that MOD had banned the use of Grigris and Shunts because they were unsafe". Not my opinion - that of the MOD.

I find both awkward to use and have a much safer single handed approach using an abseil line.
 
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I chose Topclimber because it goes up and down on one line, but more importantly for me (wimp that I am) you get completely strapped in with multiple attachments. as the line you ascend is through two tubes in the grips, they can't come off. even if i faint due to the exertion/fear of heights i can't fall even though hanging there may not be pretty!

it's still a two man job though. i wouldn't do it alone (wimp again!). i use the spinnaker halyard as a safety line and have a friend on the winch below taking up the slack.
 
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