Mini vs Micro Traxion
- July 2013
- Climb
Hello Steph,
I’m looking into getting a solo top rope setup. I remember seeing you use one on a tower you were working on. So my question is, what is your setup and what do you recommend?
Thank you so much for your time. You’re an inspiration.
Best regards,
Austin
Hi Austin,
I think this is the post you are looking for. Good luck and be careful!
Hi Steph,
I’m also into solo top roping and i’m having a trouble finding a way to switch from ascending to descending in the middle of a climb ( if it’s too hard or i’m too tired to continue ). How do you switch?
I learned a lot from this blog because it’s hard to find an expert in my area ( a small island in Indonesia) , thanks a whole lot Steph for sharing with this blog! Hehehe ( excuse my English )
It can be a complicated switch-over if you are just on the rope, but the easiest thing is to do the switch at a bolt or a piece of gear. Bring a few quickdraws or cams with you, for that reason. You can clip into the bolt or piece, and get a grigri on the rope below the mini traxions: at this point you will be attached to 4 separate things. Then take off the top mini traxion (now you are attached to 3 things), then take off the bottom one (now you are attached to 2 things), then get off the piece and direct onto the grigri. It’s kind of a hassle–often it’s easiest to just start pulling up on the rope and get yourself up to the anchor. Old school style, ground to top with no lowering…. 🙂
Pulling up on the rope is the best solution for me now hehe
Nuhun!
🙂 🙂
Steph:
Just found your websight after years of lurking and following your exploits. I wanted to ask the simple question regarding rope solo’ed (lead rope solo). Why is no one using the Rock Exotica SOLOIST? I have two, been using them for over 20 years (yaa haa) and found them to be really good up to just a grade below my limit. They are still in production. Yes, there is some required switch at the top of pitches (and I would hate to drop that cam off its lanyard) – however besides the modified GriGri 2 (drill the hole) I find it to be the best thing made. Am I too oldschool? Your thoughts
I have used the modified Gri Gri 2 as well. Drilling a small hole for a nico press wire loop. This loop clips to the chest. The great advantage here is there IS NO SWITCH-OVER required at the top of pitches on lead or on TR with transition into next lead. What are your thoughs on this?
I also wanted to point out, that all the links to this threads reply, access the Petzl site that speaks of TOP rope soloing. No one should even consider LEAD soloing with a sheath grabing device (a Jumar style device).
Also – I need to start BASE jumping soon. I hear you offer intro courses in Moab. There is so much sick (untouched) BASE in the world (some of it 1 hour flight from my home) – so, even at this frail age, I just cannot resist! Can you assist?
Come on up to AK, ill carry your shizzle anyday…
Bug UP Steph,
onward to your purpose.
AK Sherpa
hi, some people do use that rope solo device: I never liked it because it makes me nervous that it has to cam down to stop you–one reason I like the mini traxion so much is that it’s always hugging the rope. Little things, but it’s all about the personal preference 🙂 I do teach base jumping: moabbaseadventures.com The First Jump Course is for those who have done a minimum of 100 skydives. Hope to see you!
Thanks Steph. Big UP from AK.