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Verdict: An essential piece of kit for climbing mountains, at a reasonable price!

The Ascender Descender by Grivel is offered in both a left and right-hand version (as you can see here) and represents quite the innovation in climbing gear, offering the versatility of functioning as both an ascender and an abseiling device.

Its introduction of a plate on the body resolves a longstanding challenge with traditional ascenders, transforming their singular upward functionality into a dual-purpose tool suitable for descending as well. This enhancement eliminates the typical difficulty in unlocking ascenders for rappelling and enables a smooth transition between climbing up and descending down a rope. By simply inserting the rope under the cam into the plate, attaching a carabiner, and briefly unloading weight to open the cam, you can initiate the descent akin to using a regular plate.

This piece of tech finds use not only in climbing expeditions but also in multi-rope length routes, functioning both for ascending fixed ropes and as a descent system on the same ropes. Its design features a substantial ring at the base, allowing easy connection with the harness. The A&D stirrup clamp boasts an spacious handle for when you’re wearing gloves, and is designed for effortless operation even when you can barely feel your hands. Additionally, the practical ring on the cam enhances manoeuvrability, aiding in unlocking and manipulation during use.

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