Being able to ascend a fixed line is a basic skill. It is necessary in a variety of rescue and simple rigging situations. Ropes can be climbed in many ways. Cavers have developed some elaborate systems. For the occasional ascent, the method illustrated below is adequate. This method can be accomplished with mechanical ascenders as well as with prusiks. The climber should be attached to both prusiks or ascenders at all times. In addition, if climbing a rope without a backup belay, a back up figure eight on a bight should be tied into the rope below and clipped to the climbers harness. This back up should be retied every fifteen to twenty feet. Prusiks do slip occasionally and ascenders can come off of the rope inadvertently.
An excellent exercise for staff and participants alike is climbing a fixed rope that has a knot in the middle. Have the climbers pass the knot, reach the top, switch to rappelling with a descender (while still on the rope), and pass the knot again on the way down. Insist that the climbers always have at least two prusiks on the rope. (They will have to carry three). When conducting such an exercise, every climber must be tied into a completely separate belay. This exercise can be frustrating, but it is a good opportunity for staff to practice dealing with knots and gear and in a pressured situation. Such exercises can be good rainy day activities for participants. This particular exercise can take up to an hour per person.
ONE METHOD OF FIXED ROPE CLIMBING
First, the climber sits on the upper prusik which is attached to his harness. In this position he can unweight and raise the lower foot prusik.
Second, the climber steps up in the sling which extends from the lower prusik and while standing, raises the waist prusik as high as possible.
Third, the climber sits back on the upper prusik in its new higher position and repeats the process
NOTE: The foot prusik is attached to the harness with another sling which stays loose. This backup will keep the climber attached to the rope if he comes off of the upper prusik.