[Nmcaver] Motorized Ascenders

[Minton, Mark]

      Kurt Anderson said:

>I'm idly curious as to whether any significant fraction of the caving community is as bothered by the idea of "motorized ascenders" as I am. I'd put them in the same category as motorized ascenders or bolt drills in rock climbing - as a crutch for those unable or too lazy to do things right. Such devices should be restricted to rescue operations.

>Do these views identify me as a purist or a reactionary?

      I don't think such an attitude toward motorized ascenders is misplaced, but it is also not likely to be tested in practice.  Current motorized ascenders are impractical for most caving applications.  They are far too heavy and large, not to mention expensive.  One of the models is only good for 500 - 600 feet, so it couldn't even be used on the longer drops where one might be more tempted to use one.  How would one deal with rebelays and breakovers at lips?  Even for rescues I think the currently available models would be impractical for all but an entrance drop rigged on some type of boom to allow for topping out.  You can probably rest easy for the foreseeable future.

Mark Minton