I bought a Topclimber, It was awkward at first but after going up a couple of times it's pretty easy. I would bet someone on this forum has built one. It would seem easy. Good Luck. Jim
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Rock climbing gear
All that is is just a modified rock climbing gear...aka...with a chair. It cost almost $300 where you can get the rock climbing gear for $50. In fact, you can do it only with a few lines, but that is a bit harder. You can make a harness from any 10' line without cutting it or perminate knots. You can tie a line to that harness and another for your foot to a haylard. I still prefer a good rope ladder though.
All that is is just a modified rock climbing gear...aka...with a chair. It cost almost $300 where you can get the rock climbing gear for $50. In fact, you can do it only with a few lines, but that is a bit harder. You can make a harness from any 10' line without cutting it or perminate knots. You can tie a line to that harness and another for your foot to a haylard. I still prefer a good rope ladder though.
Slip knot
Ascenders is what they are called in climbing. It is also easy to tie a slip knot in a rope and use that as an ascender. I made up a couple so that I could climb my rappelling rope. Basically you wrap the rope a few times around the halyard(or other line) and then tie a knot. When you put pressure on the ascender line it grabs the rope you are climbing. Then you slide the one attached to your other foot upwards with your hand. repeat until you are at the top. It doesn't seem as secure as a metal ascender but remember even with a metal ascender you have to tie a line to the metal part!!! tom
Ascenders is what they are called in climbing. It is also easy to tie a slip knot in a rope and use that as an ascender. I made up a couple so that I could climb my rappelling rope. Basically you wrap the rope a few times around the halyard(or other line) and then tie a knot. When you put pressure on the ascender line it grabs the rope you are climbing. Then you slide the one attached to your other foot upwards with your hand. repeat until you are at the top. It doesn't seem as secure as a metal ascender but remember even with a metal ascender you have to tie a line to the metal part!!! tom
Thanks Tom
I couldn't remember the name of the knot. I use an Ascender for the line attached to the harness and a slip knot for the foot. Reason is because the knot is actually safer as the Ascender can accidently become unhooked. I also tie a safety line from the foot strap to the harness...just in case I do fall, only will fall like 6 feet. The knots can be a pain because sometimes they get kind of tight and hard to slip. The Ascenders can get jammed as well. All in all, it's a good and safe way to get up the mast, but I sure would like a way to get up things casually and that's the reason for the rope ladder (see other thread). As for the swing in the ladder...it's less then using climbing gear.
I couldn't remember the name of the knot. I use an Ascender for the line attached to the harness and a slip knot for the foot. Reason is because the knot is actually safer as the Ascender can accidently become unhooked. I also tie a safety line from the foot strap to the harness...just in case I do fall, only will fall like 6 feet. The knots can be a pain because sometimes they get kind of tight and hard to slip. The Ascenders can get jammed as well. All in all, it's a good and safe way to get up the mast, but I sure would like a way to get up things casually and that's the reason for the rope ladder (see other thread). As for the swing in the ladder...it's less then using climbing gear.
Tom, Please for the
sake of all the people that love you don't climb a mast with yourself secured with a slip knot. A rolling hitch, a prussic knot and there are several others that are respected for climbing ropes. But a slip knot is not a secure means for attaching a people to anything.
sake of all the people that love you don't climb a mast with yourself secured with a slip knot. A rolling hitch, a prussic knot and there are several others that are respected for climbing ropes. But a slip knot is not a secure means for attaching a people to anything.
helical knot
It is actually called a helical knot. 5- wraps around a line and then a bowline. Usally the bowline is secured with a couple half hitches. My son in law climbs. I have done a little top rope climbing and rappelling. The ropt ascenders work fine. I have been up over 50' using them. But I don't like going up the mast!!! I wonder if I could get my wife drunk and then winch her up the mast??? Grounds for divorce or attempted murder?? tom
It is actually called a helical knot. 5- wraps around a line and then a bowline. Usally the bowline is secured with a couple half hitches. My son in law climbs. I have done a little top rope climbing and rappelling. The ropt ascenders work fine. I have been up over 50' using them. But I don't like going up the mast!!! I wonder if I could get my wife drunk and then winch her up the mast??? Grounds for divorce or attempted murder?? tom
Klemheist Knot
Actually, I believe what Tom is describing is the Klemheist, which falls into the same family of knots already described. Either way, I'm sure Tom will chip in and correct us!
http://ozultimate.com/canyoning/knots/klemheist/
Actually, I believe what Tom is describing is the Klemheist, which falls into the same family of knots already described. Either way, I'm sure Tom will chip in and correct us!
http://ozultimate.com/canyoning/knots/klemheist/Franklin...Ascender Tip
Assuming you are using a Petzl ascender, attach a locking carbiner to the holes on the top of the ascender and pass your line through the carbiner. This will prevent the line from unhooking. I hope everyone is attaching a climbing rope to their halyard because the teeth in the ascenders will damage the working halyard.
Assuming you are using a Petzl ascender, attach a locking carbiner to the holes on the top of the ascender and pass your line through the carbiner. This will prevent the line from unhooking. I hope everyone is attaching a climbing rope to their halyard because the teeth in the ascenders will damage the working halyard.
I did it
Bought a set of ascenders on ebay for $20. Use my safety harness's to go up. One for my feet, one for my body. No problem.
Bought a set of ascenders on ebay for $20. Use my safety harness's to go up. One for my feet, one for my body. No problem.
Have a top climber on board. Bought it because I was single handling a Beneteau 411 a lot. Used it once in Duluth, Mn. Power dock mates found it interesting. After observing it in use, the main comment was "that's what scares us about sailboaters". Response was " if you need to go up the mast, you need to do what needs to be done!" In general, found its utlitiy to be limited to the placement of the halyard.
Home made top climber
I made my own top climber for les than about $40. The asenders were only about $8.00 to make and were very simple. Mine looks and works just like the ATN version. The benifit is that if something were to happen you will not fall. The rig locks in place and has to be manually released.
I made my own top climber for les than about $40. The asenders were only about $8.00 to make and were very simple. Mine looks and works just like the ATN version. The benifit is that if something were to happen you will not fall. The rig locks in place and has to be manually released.
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