Mar-bar ascending system

As a noob climber and having accumulated more years than I want to believe, I'm always on the lookout for gizmos that will enhance the ease and efficiency of my climbing. I came across the Mar-bar ascension system and saw my need fulfilled. Then I read it's no longer in production - does anyone know anything about this? I'm curious to know why it's not made any more. I've included a couple of links about it.

Erock

http://www.treebuzz.com/pdf/CC_Aug07.pdf (pg. 52)

Erock wrote:

As a noob climber and having accumulated more years than I want to believe, I'm always on the lookout for gizmos that will enhance the ease and efficiency of my climbing. I came across the Mar-bar ascension system and saw my need fulfilled. Then I read it's no longer in production - does anyone know anything about this? I'm curious to know why it's not made any more. I've included a couple of links about it.

Erock

I think there a few reasons, it's arm intensive for a mechanical system and the gear is bulky and heavy compared to other mechanical ascent systems. Notice that the climber is ascending a static doubled rope, I think climbers who access trees this way still prefer secured footlock technique.

I don't think many rec climbers are accessing trees with a doubled rope climbed as a static system (as in the video). More typically they're climbing a doubled rope with a hitch on a dynamic system (the rope is moving as they climb) or they're climbing single rope on a static system with mechanical ascenders.
-AJ

Aha...makes sense. Thanks AJ. I suppose as I get more experience and pour through some of the great gear catalogs, I'll find my way to a good system for me. I'll be polling the TCI forum for guidance from time to time. It's a great resource.
Eric

I ordered the MAR BAR system about three years ago.
I use it for urban tree climbing
Example
Get into the tree as quick as possible without anyone noticing then set up camp in the canopy and hang out all day with hammock food books it's a wonderful time
The Mar Bar comes into play because you are able to haul heavy loads quite easily and quickly

I have a set of Mar-Bars and use them regularly for more than a decade in full time production tree care. They are an amazing tool and I highly recommend them. Used properly with the proper length attachment they use almost entirely the large muscle groups of the legs. They are extremely easy to build redundancy into your ascent system as well.





I will post some pics and ideas soon.

As stated they are no longer for sale, but you may be able to find a used pair. They also would not be hard to replicate with "aftermarket" materials. The originals do not alter the four ascenders in any way. Really just tube, webbing, buckles and rubber stiffeners.

Tony