Black Aiders & Daisies

Etriers and ladder aiders work best on steep aid pitches because they give stable foot placements and balance on overhangs. Adjustable daisies like Petzl models are handy for sustained overhangs since their buckles let you frequently tension, and many etriers have 4–7 steps spanning about 3–5 feet.

Consider the pitch and your reach when picking length, since etriers commonly run 3–5 feet while daisies come fixed or adjustable from about 4–8 feet. Also account for body weight and where you plan to girth hitch to a harness tie-in point or belay loop so the daisy tensions correctly under load.

Check materials and construction: low-stretch fabrics like Dyneema or Spectra reduce sag while nylon and polyester offer more flexibility and abrasion resistance. Aim for pieces with tensile ratings in the 15–25 kN range and UIAA/CE certification when you need life‑support gear instead of unrated webbing.

Attach an aider or daisy with a clean girth hitch to your harness tie-in point or belay loop, making sure the hitch and stitching lie flat for comfort and security. Reinforced stitching at load points and padded sections help where the webbing meets metal steps, and some ladders use aluminum or steel rungs for added durability.

For big-wall work it's common to carry two aiders and two daisies per climber to cover lead, jumaring, and gear placements during long pitches. Models like the Metolius Alpine Aider with 3/4‑inch nylon steps are popular for lightweight big‑wall setups, and spreader bars or flat hero steps make slabby sections easier.