Climbing Narcissist » Petzl

Holiday Tech Tips For Santa

Narc — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:41:23 +0000

Via the good folks at Petzl come these helpful Holiday Tech Tips that you can leave out for Santa tonight…

Holiday Tech Tips For Santa from Climbing Narcissist

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Petzl GriGri 2 Recall

Narc — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:35:17 +0000

Yesterday Petzl announced on their website that they are issuing a recall for the newly released GriGri 2 due to potential problems with the brake lever. Apparently there are circumstances where the handle can become damaged and then stuck in the open position which then disables the GriGri’s assisted breaking feature. Here’s what to look for on your GriGri 2 to see if you are affected by this recall as well as what you should do to get your GriGri 2 replaced:

If you have a GRIGRI 2 (D14 2O, D14 2G, D14 2B) with the first five digits of the serial number between 10326 and 11136, stop use immediately and contact Petzl America to initiate an exchange.
Contact Petzl America in one of two ways:
- By phone: 1 (800) 932-2978 (toll free)
- By email: grigri2recall@petzl.com
Petzl will pay all shipping costs associated with this exchange

Check out Petzl’s website for complete and updated information.

This news comes on the heels of an earlier post from Petzl regarding the possibility that the rope could become lodged behind the cam on the GriGri 2 and a handful of anecdotal reports I’ve been hearing about the GriGri 2 wearing out much faster than it’s predecessor. I’ve yet to have any real problems with mine, but it seems like there is more to come with regards to the GriGri 2.

Petzl GriGri 2 Recall from Climbing Narcissist

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Review: Petzl GriGri 2

Narc — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:49:58 +0000

For the past couple of months I’ve been trying out the new GriGri 2 which Petzl was kind enough to send me, putting it through its paces both at the gym and at the crag. While one could go on it great detail about the device the bottom line is this: if you currently own the original GriGri you’ll love the GriGri 2 and if you’ve never owned a GriGri…what are you waiting for?? Not convinced? Read on for a few thoughts on the device.

There are three main areas of difference between the original GriGri and the GriGri 2: rope diameter compatibility, reduced size and weight, and a new “progressive descent control system”.

The GriGri 2 is compatible with ropes anywhere in the 8.9mm to 11mm range which is a welcome, and in some sense overdue, change. In practice I found that ropes of most sizes fed very fluidly through the device and handling was greatly improved. Combined with the lighter weight and smaller footprint, I found it much easier to use Petzl’s new (from 2008) recommended lead belay technique. For me this is one of the biggest selling points of the GriGri 2 as I found implementing this technique with my old GriGri to be difficult at best. The only drawback to the GriGri 2′s reduced size is that the release handle is somewhat uncomfortable in that it’s both smaller and sharper around the edges than the original GriGri which takes some getting used to.

The third main difference, the “progressive descent control system”, was somewhat less clear of an improvement. In theory it’s supposed to offer a smoother lower, but in practice I can’t say I noticed much difference between either version of the GriGri. They both are good but not great. Apparently this system should help prevent people from pulling open the release handle and losing control of the lower which makes sense, it’s just not something I noticed when using the device.

Despite a couple of minor drawbacks, the fact that the GriGri 2 is much lighter, works with the size ropes most people are using and feeds out slack better make it a clear winner to me. Time will tell how well it does durability-wise, but for now it’s hard not to recommend it.

The big question for many is whether or not it’s worth it to spend the $95 to upgrade from their original GriGri to the GriGri 2. I think that if you do a lot of climbing on ropes under 10mm or you can’t stand to not have the latest gadget then by all means go for it. If you mainly climb on fat ropes in the gym then you’re probably not going to notice that much of a difference, so I’d just wait until your original GriGri wears out.

While they were hard to come by shortly after launch it looks like most retailers have the GriGri 2 in stock, including REI. What better way to spend your dividend??

Here’s a video Petzl put together with some of their sponsored athletes showing off with the GriGri 2 and talking about how they use it.

And since I just got a new camera I took some photos comparing GriGris new and old…

Review: Petzl GriGri 2 from Climbing Narcissist

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How To Identify Petzl Counterfeits

Narc — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:28:00 +0000

To followup on last month’s warning about counterfeit Petzl products, Petzl has produced this handy chart to help you decide if your Petzl gear is genuine or not.

How To Identify Petzl Counterfeits from Climbing Narcissist

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Warning About Chinese Counterfeits Of Petzl Products

Narc — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:32:02 +0000

Petzl has a warning on their website about counterfeit versions of some of their popular gear like the Attache carabiner and the Ascension jumar. Not surprisingly these rip-offs do not meet safety standards and should be avoided at all costs.

Warning About Chinese Counterfeits Of Petzl Products from Climbing Narcissist

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New Belay Devices In The Offing

Narc — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:24:25 +0000

Via GearCaster and Western Colorado Climbing comes news that 2011 will bring a major redesign to the main belay device in most people’s lives: the Petzl GriGri. Promising a lighter weight, a “progressive descent control system” and a compatibility with a wider range of rope sizes, the GriGri 2 will be available some time in 2011.

Here’s a promo video from Petzl:

GRIGRI 2 – Assisted braking belay device by Petzl from Petzl-sport on Vimeo.

The GearCaster’s post on the GriGri 2 also has additional info on a new Universo device from Petzl, a new belay carabiner from Black Diamond and a new belay device from Mammut. Definitely worth checking out if you are into that sort of thing.

With respect to the new GriGri, I’m interested in hearing thoughts from current GriGri owners about whether or not you plan on dropping the cash to upgrade to the new model. Obviously it’s too early to make any sort of real judgement about the new device, but this is the internet and we need something to talk about I’m curious to hear people’s first thoughts.

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New Belay Devices In The Offing from Climbing Narcissist

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Whipper Night…Unsafely?

Narc — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:19:08 +0000

With last night being whipper night at team (sorry Tony) the below video that I found at the newly redesigned Splitter Choss Blog seems especially pertinent. The video demonstrates 3 techniques that are used when belaying with a Petzl Gri-Gri. The first 2 methods are good, the 3rd is apparently bad.

Last night was the first time I had belayed in a while, and I realized that I use the 3rd, apparently undesired, belay technique shown in the video. I know that taking your right hand off is taboo, but trying to manually feed rope through a Gri-Gri like it is an ATC inevitably leads to you shortroping the life out of your climber. Am I the only one that has been belaying unsafely for the past 8 years??

Method 1

Method 3

Although my hands would normally be reversed

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Whipper Night…Unsafely? from Climbing Narcissist

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Petzl GriGri 2 Recall