CAMP Turbo Knee Ascent System

The CAMP Turbo Knee is a knee ascender system that lets a climber walk up a single rope, with the knee and foot sharing the work so the arms stay fresh. It suits arborists who make regular SRS ascents and want a more efficient climb than footlocking or hip thrusting.

How a knee ascender changes the climb

A knee ascender keeps a rope clamp riding at your knee, so each step pushes the clamp up and the rope feeds through your chest or saddle device. Combined with a foot ascender on the other leg, it turns the ascent into a steady walk up the line. Most climbers find they arrive at the tie-in with more left in their arms and grip.

It takes some tuning. Spend time on the ground adjusting strap lengths so the clamp sits where it should, and make sure the rope runs cleanly without the system twisting your leg. A tail weight or rope tender helps the rope feed on the first few steps.

Climbers coming from footlocking or a hip-thrust ascent usually need a few sessions to find a rhythm. Start on a low limb or a practice rope, keep the steps short, and focus on standing straight up rather than pulling with the arms. Once the straps are set, it goes on and comes off quickly enough to use on every tree that needs a long rope ascent.

Fit with the rest of your kit

The Turbo Knee is an ascent aid, not the device that holds you. Your primary climbing system still has to be rigged and backed up correctly. Browse other foot ascenders and foot loops to round out a rope-walking setup.

Life-support gear must meet the applicable standard, be used per the manufacturer's instructions and ANSI Z133, be inspected before every climb, and be used only by trained climbers.