True to the motto "Safe on the mountain", we present belay devices for sport climbing. This time: the GriGri2 from Petzl.
class="wp-block-embed-youtube
wp-block-embed
is-type-video
is-provider-youtube
wp-embed-aspect-16-9
wp-has-aspect-ratio">
class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
The classic from Petzl is designed for thinner single ropes and is certainly the most widely used belay device on the market. The lead-in angle of the brake rope has no effect on the locking function. The quickdraw using the gas mechanism method works perfectly and the low weight also extends the GriGri2's range of applications in alpine terrain. However, sufficient practice is also necessary here to ensure safe belaying.
Facts about the GriGri2
The GriGri2 is a semi-automatic belay device from Petzl for belaying with single ropes. It is a further development of the GriGri, which came onto the market in the early 1990s. The GriGri2 can be used for ropes with a diameter of8.9 to 11 mm. The locking mechanism of the GriGri2 works independently of the safety carabiner. However, a carabiner with a locking mechanism is always required.
The partner check
The partner check before every start is an elementary safety standard. Both partners check 5 points: the rope knot, the locking device of the carabiner, the function of the belay device by jerky pulling, the harness buckles and - lastly - whether the end of the rope is tied off.
Deploying the rope with the GriGri2
To release the rope, the guide hand pulls the rope out of the device while the braking hand pushes the rope into the belay device from below. Any excess slack rope is then immediately retracted and the braking hand slides back into the starting position.
The "braking hand principle"
Equally fundamental - even with semi-automatic belay devices - is the "brake hand principle" during climbing. The brake hand principle means that the belayer grips the brake rope with the brake hand in every phase of the belaying process. In the event of a fall, the braking hand fixes the brake rope and moves downwards. The second hand, the so-called guide hand, merely supports the rope guide.
The strength of the semi-automatic device is that it automatically blocks the rope if the rope is jerked, e.g. in the event of a fall. In other words, even if the belayer does not develop any manual force on the brake rope. The disadvantage of this desired feature is that the device also locks if the rope needs to be released quickly when an intermediate belay is attached. The so-called "gas mechanism method" enables the rope to be released quickly without blocking. The index finger of the braking hand is placed under the lip of the device, while the other fingers continue to grip the braking rope. The thumb now presses against the side of the clamping cam, preventing the device from blocking. Nevertheless, the GriGri2 will still lock in the event of a fall.
The GriGri2 when lowering
When lowering, the brake hand fixes the brake cable while the guide hand carefully pulls the release lever backwards with the index and middle fingers. This slowly releases the clamping cam. The braking hand now lets the rope slip in a controlled manner and controls the lowering speed.
Top rope mode
When belaying in top rope mode, the braking hand pulls the braking rope out of the device in an arc while the guiding hand guides the guiding rope to the belay device. The braking hand then slides back up the braking rope in the tunnel grip.
SicherAmBerg - the program
Under the overall project "SicherAmBerg", the Austrian Alpine Club provides instructional videos on all relevant core Alpine Club sports such as ski touring, sport climbing, via ferrata and alpine climbing. But SicherAmBerg is not just about video tutorials. Rather, it is an overall concept consisting of high-quality publications, events, training courses and videos with the aim of increasing safety on the mountain or in the climbing gym.
If you would like to find out more about the various topics, you will find what you are lookingfor at www.alpenverein.at/sicheramberg.
