edit

Edit

Nice, report back after you try them out.

Nice. What did you use for making the steps stay formed? I've heard of people using old garden hose, but it didn't really look like that from the picture.

Looks like the aider method which Robbins described in Basic Rockcraft. While I don't climb a huge amount of aid, mine - tied many, many years ago - are still holding up.

swm

I just made some of these suckers to play with in the gym and I took them outside once, they seemed to work pretty damn well. I'm sure something actually made for the job would work better, but for living in Wisconsin, these will get the trick done.

Been wanting to do some aiding in prep for bigger routes next spring. Made a pair today, put grab loops in, doubled up the webbing at the clip points and used some clear hose from ACE hardware for rigidity under feet. Psyched to get out and use them. Just under $20 all said and done.

Aiders

Close-up

SW Marlatt wrote:Looks like the aider method which Robbins described in Basic Rockcraft. While I don't climb a huge amount of aid, mine - tied many, many years ago - are still holding up. swm

Exacto. I made a pair of these in similar Robbins method back in 76' for my first aid routes. Nice job.

how nessecary are the grab loops? i've made myself a pair of these and messed around with them but was never aware that some aiders/ladders had a grab loop. truth to be told, i'm not even sure what the advantage of the grab loop is. i LOVE the idea of putting something on the foot loops to keep them rigid.

Those look pretty sweet. Have you thought of using 'Plasti-Dip' on the steps to give them some stiffness? I have found that it works great to perk up old saggy foot loops on aiders.

those look good. id suggest trying to do a home made ladder style though. much more comfortable to use

If you're feeling crafty and have a sewing machine around, it's not too hard to make your own. I recycled my tied etriers into these ladders. I haven't put them thru any real walls, but they've survived me practicing and learning on them and still look fine, nothing falling apart. This pic's from the first one i made about a year and a half ago. The step stiffeners on all but the bottom were overkill.

Homemade aid ladder.

Webbing Etrier

Finished the step of by whipping with 550 paracord.

Gaz wrote: Finished the step off by whipping with 550 paracord.

BTW, I started with the middle bend at the top and not the bottom as is provided on some internet DIY video. This allows for extending/shrinking the size/# of steps easily. It also means that you don't have to cut up your standard size webbing (30ft in my case). Which also means you can use the webbing elsewhere if need be (assuming you can get the overhand knots undone!!). Ofr instance if going light, use DIY Etriers and then undo at the top and re-use for your Rap anchor.

The whipping was pretty easy. Fold the step part in half and put your whipping bend in it. Whip and pull tight when done.

Anyone have a link to some kind of design. I tried it and mine turned out super clunky. I'm pretty sure I'm not using the right kind of knots but it would be nice to have a design lay out to look at or video to watch.

why nobody use cordelette for aiders?