Quick Roll Hand Ascender

Introducing the Quick Roll Hand Ascender from the Climbing Technology Team

Written by
Kyle Barr
Published on
August 26, 2022 at 2:38:01 PM PDT August 26, 2022 at 2:38:01 PM PDTth, August 26, 2022 at 2:38:01 PM PDT

In the age of gear galore, it’s hard for a manufacturer to stand out with a new piece of climbing equipment that’s not only distinguishable, but actually serves a useful purpose other than just content for a boastful facebook post. So, in the name of gear that actually gets used in the air more than as a paperweight, let us introduce the simple, yet clever Quick Roll Hand Ascender with an integrated pulley from Climbing Technology (less commonly known as Aludesign, and now part of the Skylotec company). Sometimes, innovation comes in the form of simply combining two or more pieces of equipment into one to make our lives a little easie r, and our gear bags a bit lighter. This is exactly what our friends over in Italy have done with this device.






The CT Quick Roll is simply a very ergonomic, handled rope ascender with a small, integrated pulley riveted directly to the back side of the ascender body. Now, before you get too excited, we have to warn you that the integrated pulley is not meant for actual fall protection and has a printed working load limit of 2kN.

So, while there are myriad uses for this device (none different than what you could achieve with stand alone rope grabs, pulleys, and connectors), stop thinking about that ridiculous mechanically advantaged hauling system you can make. The integrated pulley is primarily designed as your quick, go-to aid in ascent, and for our favorite use: work positioning.


In our industry, the off-the-shelf work positioning setup is the Petzl Grillon. So whether you’re using the Grillon or some other garage-born work positioner, the CT Quick Roll hand ascender can quickly be attached to the taught end of your positioner with the loose end of the positioner line running through the integrated pulley for an effortless and quick way to get closer to your work. Another handy use is when ascending the work rope, you can attach a longer footloop or an extension to your etrier to your chest ascender, redirect the footloop material through the integrated pulley on the hand ascender, and back down to your foot.

This is all made easier thanks to CT’s patented cam unlocking system.

With the easy one-handed operation cam opening lever, say goodbye to fiddling with a rope that feels like it’s welded into your hand ascender. The steel cam also has slots forged into the cam body to help prevent accumulation of mud, dirt, and ice.


At the bottom of the ascender body, there are two holes (not necessarily unique anymore), to accommodate multiple, non-interfering connections whether with quick links or carabiners.


The CT Quick Roll hand ascender has a little extra meat on its bones for the handle material giving it not only more resistance to wear and tear, but also a whisper of added comfort for those delicate working hands of yours. It’s nothing entirely noticeable at first glance, but after a long day of ascent, descent, changeovers, and positioning, those money makers at the ends of your arms will thank you.


So when reaching for a new handled ascender, if you're the type that’s constantly making those adjustments on a long positioning lanyard, or if your the type that would rather jug up your Petzl I’D (or your self-braking descender of preference) rather than switch over to ascent, we think paying roughly one extra Andrew Jackson for your hand ascender is well worth it. Of course, you could achieve the same effect with your regular hand ascender connected to a DMM Revolver or Petzl’s Rollclip Pulley Carabiner, but yes, sometimes the cliche can be true: less is more. Or alternatively, if you’re the type that likes the feeling of tennis elbow, and not being able to hold your ice cold beer after a hard week’s work, then why did you even read this to the end? Work smarter AND harder ;)


Until next time,