Patent ID: 8418808

Claim:
A portable climbing aid for use in climbing a columnar structure, the climbing aid comprising: a) a unitary, tubular body comprising: i) a planar or concave contact surface that, in use, directly contacts the columnar structure, the contact surface having a substantially vertical axis when in use, wherein the contact surface has an elliptical outer perimeter when planar; ii) a support surface for supporting a foot or hand when in use, the support surface having no direct contact with the columnar structure and having a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the substantially vertical axis of the contact surface when in use, wherein the support surface has an elliptical outer perimeter; iii) a projecting portion joining between the contact surface and the support surface so that, in use, the projecting portion is capable of not contacting the columnar structure, wherein the projecting portion of the unitary, tubular body is cantilevered in use such that a central axis of the projecting portion is at an angle at or between 35 and 55 degrees from the vertical axis of the contact surface, and wherein the projecting portion comprises retaining elements formed therein; and b) a tension member adapted for affixing the unitary, tubular body to the columnar structure, wherein the retaining elements formed in the projecting portion receive the tension member therethrough; and c) a malleable material disposed on the contact surface for conforming to surface contours on the columnar structure.