Abstract: There is disclosed a climbing aid comprising at least two cam members pivotally mounted on a spindle, one of the cam members pivotting in an opposite direction from the other, resilient means urging the cam members to a normal in use open position, a member attached to the spindle and to which a rope may be attached, and means for pivoting the cam members against the action of the resilient means into a closed position comprising flexible wires extending from the cam members through an aperture in said member attached to said spindle to connect with otherwise free manually operable means for pulling said wires.