mongrel
Trad climber
Truckee, CA
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Since this has been bumped, for aid walls, definitely ladders. And another big vote for Fish ladders, whether 3/4 inch webbing or pay the couple bucks extra for more cush from 1 inch. Like some poster upthread, I have one ladder and one matching Fish light aider on each biner. Four is definitely a bit more of a cluster but less strenuous overall. For a mixed wall (Nose), three aiders, one per biner. You can leave one behind when going free and still have two left in case that doesn't work out as planned... The aiders with lots of short steps are not good at all, if you are wearing approach shoes or boots, it is too much fiddling to get your foot in. The spacing of steps on the Fish aiders (which matches the ladders exactly - perfect!) is right. It makes you make bigger steps up thereby saving time every single placement. To me, the solid plastic spreader bar at the top seems essential. I have other Misty Mtn. gear and think it is fantastic (best big wall gear sling by far), but their ladder lacks the spreader bar, which is a great handle and helps get your foot in when top stepping.
Go Fish!
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WBraun
climber
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Apr 10, 2012 - 07:42am PT
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Rolls eyes ..... :-)
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briham89
Trad climber
los gatos. ca
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Apr 10, 2012 - 09:04am PT
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yates ladders... got them and haven't looked back to the days of untangling and untwisting my old etriers. They are a bit heavier but i think it's worth the weight
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Morgan
Trad climber
East Coast
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Apr 10, 2012 - 09:53am PT
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I think the interval distance of the steps matters more than the style or brand. Each has their pros and cons.
What I have found is that when you are in the third step of the Yates Speed Ladders (similar to second step in traditional style aiders), I want the aider biner to just come up to my crotch.
That way, I am at least in a position of more stable tension when I fifi in on a steep wall.
For topstepping, you can use adjustable aiders or fifis, a biner on your daisy chain, or a quik clip.
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