If you bought Black Diamond Ascension Nylon Skins in the past year and noticed some funky stuff going on with the glue, you might be in luck. On August 26, Black Diamond announced a replacement program for Ascension Nylon skins produced from January to March 2021.
From Black Diamond:
The reason for the replacement is that a particular batch manufactured during the noted timeline does not meet Black Diamond’s product standards due to a glue-to-plush bond issue causing accelerated glue failure during use. Black Diamond will replace all affected skins, either with a replacement of the Ascension Nylon Climbing Skins or a substitution with its GlideLite Mohair Mix Climbing Skins, and is asking its customers to check the skins date code to see if it matches the affected models.
Instructions to find the date code: Locate the tail (where the black rubber strap attaches to the orange skin). On the same side of the glue and protective paper there is a 4-digit code stamped into the black aluminum tail hardware.
Description Date Codes
ASCENSION 175-186cm 1055, 1119, 1120
ASCENSION 157-168cm 1033, 1042, 1092
ASCENSION 169-180cm 1057, 1077, 1095
ASCENSION 163-174cm 1071, 1099
ASCENSION 181-192cm 1047, 1097
ASCENSION NYLON STS 140mm 1076
ASCENSION SPLITBOARD 1049If the date code on your skins matches the above chart, please submit a warranty claim HERE.
For further information or questions related to this issue, email us directly at BDMO@bdel.com or call 800-775-5552.
Sounds to me like it’s a good time to upgrade to that GlideLite Mohair Mix…
Manasseh Franklin is a writer, editor and big fan of walking uphill. She has an MFA in creative nonfiction and environment and natural resources from the University of Wyoming and especially enjoys writing about glaciers. Find her other work in Alpinist, Adventure Journal, Rock and Ice, Aspen Sojourner, AFAR, Trail Runner and Western Confluence.