SRT with Kong Futura

[CZMark]

For a few years, I've done SRT using a Petzl hand ascender. It works great, but I always hated the bulk of it. I tried replacing it with friction hitches without success: They take extra time to tie and verify, and they never either locked or released reliably enough.

This year, I purchased a Kong Futura. The downside of the Future is that no hole exists to connect a carabineer for a 3:1 pulling advantage with the rope. After some thought, I tried connecting my DMM Revolver to the rope, above the Futura, via a Sterling Autoblock tied in a simple French Prusuk.

Viola, the Futura tends the Autoblock, and even if the Autoblock doesn't grab, the Future acts as a stopper. So far, I think it's a winner.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

 

[Jay_Disarray]

the futura is a pretty nice little compact ascender. I had one at one point, but my hands are pretty large, and even with the bigger handle grip installed it was almost too small.

 

[CZMark]

Yes, it is short. I use 3 fingers and my thumb, my little finger hangs uselessly below.

 

[bj139]

I like the big handle of the Petzl ascender to hang onto in the tree. I tried a Ropeman 1 and it worked but I like the handle. So what if it weighs a few more ounces.

 

[Loopwing]

Be careful with that talk BJ....add an ounce, half of these guys heads will explode if they add an ounce. I also like comfort and will make the sacrifice of a whole nother ounce or 2.

 

[SNIPERBBB]

I must be dense this morning but what is the purpose of the autoblock here? Looks like it's to hold the carabineer so it can act as a pulley?

 

[AttackMode]

I run mine with a modified whoopsie daisy and a carabiner. Works great.

 

[Buckhorn70]

I run mine with a modified whoopsie daisy and a carabiner. Works great.

I’d like to see that set up

 

[CZMark]

I must be dense this morning but what is the purpose of the autoblock here? Looks like it's to hold the carabineer so it can act as a pulley?

Yes, you've got it. The Petzl ascender has a hole at the top for the carabiner, the Futura has no place to connect the carabiner.

 

[Bango Skank]

How important you think the prusik above it is for your 3:1? Just wondering if another carabiner just clipped loosely on the rope above the ascender would do. Might load the cam in a funny way. Probably rattle a bit too, but I wonder.

 

[CZMark]

At least for me, moving the carabiner up those few inches makes a big difference. Also, the single hole in the bottom really doesn't have enough room for both the foot loop and a carabiner.

 

[AttackMode]

This is how I run mine


It is a RH version but I can use it comfortably with my left hand too. It gets me up the tree easily so that's all that matters.

 

[bj139]

At least for me, moving the carabiner up those few inches makes a big difference. Also, the single hole in the bottom really doesn't have enough room for both the foot loop and a carabiner.

Yes, The extra reach is very helpful. I have tried a pulley on the bottom with bolt but higher up feels better. I can tie the strap right through the handle something that might not work on the Futura. Having a carabiner through the upper hole also keeps the rope on the ascender almost no matter what happens which I consider a great safety feature. I also connect my ascender to my bridge as a secondary support line.