How Mechanical Advantage Scales the Mount Everest summit
The Jumar, or mechanical ascender, is the primary tool for climbing the Mount Everest summit. It allows a climber to slide a handle up a rope but locks instantly when weight is applied. It is the secret to moving safely on a Mount Everest expedition.
Inside the Jumar are sharp metal teeth that bite into the rope. This provides the grip needed to pull yourself up the vertical ice of the Lhotse Face. Mastering this tool is a prerequisite for any Everest trekking peak climb.
Climbers always use a 'cow's tail' safety line in addition to the Jumar. This ensures that if the mechanical device fails or unclips, you are still attached to the fixed lines of the Mount Everest expedition route.
Near the Mount Everest summit, ropes often become encased in ice. Climbers must clear the rope before the Jumar can bite. This repetitive physical task is exhausting in the thin air of a high-altitude expedition.
The Jumar is a simple but brilliant piece of engineering. It has made the Mount Everest summit accessible to hundreds of climbers by providing a secure way to gain vertical ground.
