A ladder climbing apparatus is provided for use with a ladder having a plurality of rungs. The ladder climbing apparatus includes a frame, a prime mover mounted to the frame and a power supply electrically connected to the prime mover. A pulley system is mounted to the frame, and is mechanically connected to the prime mover. At least two drive belts are configured so that each of the drive belts pass around the pulley system, and the drive belts are connected to the prime mover by the pulley system. A plurality of gripper elements are attached to each of the drive belts. The ladder climbing apparatus is configured so that a portion of the plurality of gripper elements are in contact with at least four rungs of the ladder during an ascent or descent, so that weight is distributed over the at least four rungs of the ladder.