Upper strap for KNEE ASCENT LOOP and KNEE ASCENT CLIP assemblies increases durability. It attaches to the waistbelt of SEQUOIA and SEQUOIA SRT harnesses. It has slots for connecting the elastic of the KNEE ASCENT assemblies and a connector for attaching the mechanical Prusik. The strap allows the ZIGZAG or ZIGZAG PLUS and CHICANE unit to be raised.