SAKA Foldable Knee Ascender

A knee ascender rides on the rope below your chest system and is linked to your knee or shin, so each step on that side drives you up. The SAKA knee ascender folds when you are done ascending, which keeps it out of the way while you work.

How a knee ascender fits a rope walker

Rope walking systems pair a foot ascender on one leg with a knee ascender on the other. As you step with each leg in turn, one of them always holds the gain. It is smooth, steady and easy on your arms, which is why it is popular for long climbs into tall trees.

The SAKA's folding design matters once you reach your tie-in point. Instead of a device flapping around your shin while you work, you fold it and get on with the job.

Because a knee ascender is linked to your leg rather than strapped under your boot, it moves with your shin as you step. That gives a long, efficient stroke on each step and a steady rhythm on long ascents.

Training and inspection

A knee ascender is an ascent aid. You must always be attached through your primary life-support system, which must meet the applicable standard and be used per ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer instructions. Learn rope walking with a trained climber, low to the ground, before using it on a real ascent.

Inspect the cam, frame and straps before every use. Pair it with the CMI foot ascender for a complete rope walking setup.

Clean grit and sap out of the cam after dirty days so it keeps biting cleanly on the rope.