Petzl Micro Traxion & Nano Traxion
Petzl Micro Traxion & Nano Traxion
For most canyoning, I carry a Micro Traxion and a Petzl Basic as the center of my ascending kit. The Micro is also good for hauling, and better than the Nano because locking the cam out is a surprisingly useful feature when doing anything other than ascending the rope. Micro - recommended. Nano - not so much. (Unfortunate that these tools have gotten rather expensive, even the Tibloc!)
PETZL SAYS:
MICRO TRAXION: A multipurpose 3-in-1 device (pulley, self-jamming pulley, rope clamp / grab) for hauling a sack, raising a person, setting up a hauling system or self-belaying. Works fantastic for a canyoneer-style ascending system, especially at the waist. Sheave with self-lubricating bushings is efficient and compact. Works well for Tyrolean traverses and for ascending rope.
NANO TRAXION: A multipurpose 2-in-1 device (progress-capture pulley, rope clamp / grab) for hauling a sack, raising a person, setting up a hauling system. Works fantastic for a canyoneer-style ascending system, especially at the waist. Sheave with self-lubricating bushings is efficient and compact.
The Nano or Micro-Traxion will find a place in all work or rescue kits.
NANO TRAXION is an ultra-light (53 g) and compact progress-capture pulley designed for rescue. Sealed ball bearings provide excellent efficiency (91 %). HOWEVER, the progress-capture CAM cannot be locked out, so it cannot be used as a pulley. Personally, I think the Micro is a more-flexible tool, and worth the extra weight and cost.
Specifications
Weight: 53 g
Certification(s): CE EN 567, UKCA, UIAA
Min. rope diameter: 7 mm
Max. rope diameter: 11 mm
Sheave type: sealed ball bearings
Sheave diameter: 18 mm
Breaking strength: 2 x 7,5 = 15 kN
Breaking strength as progress capture pulley: 4 kN
Efficiency: 91 %
MICRO TRAXION is a compact and lightweight progress-capture pulley (85 g) designed for crevasse rescue, hauling, and self-rescue, and for use as an emergency ascender. The cam can be locked in the open position so the device can be used as a simple pulley. Sealed ball bearings provide excellent efficiency (91 %).
Specifications
Weight: 85 g
Certification(s): CE EN 567, UKCA, UIAA
Min. rope diameter: 8 mm
Max. rope diameter: 11 mm
Sheave type: sealed ball bearings
Sheave diameter: 27 mm
Working load: 2 x 2.5 = 5 kN
Breaking strength: 2 x 7,5 = 15 kN
Working load as progress capture pulley: 2.5 kN
Breaking strength as progress capture pulley: 4 kN
Efficiency: 91 %
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I carry one of these in my canyoning ascending kit, every day. Well, almost.
Handles are for poofters! Unless you're planning on jugging El Cap, those handles are pretty unnecessary, and add weight and bulk. The Petzl Basic Ascender has all the working parts of the Handled Ascender, with the superfluous handle removed. A good compromise - a full function ascender that works really well, at less weight and bulk.
An elegant, simple design for ascending ropes. Now with a nice plastic widget that helps set the teeth into the rope. Use with a large-rod-stock carabiner like the Cypher Iris or the BD RockLock. Very lightweight and handy to have. Fits on ropes 8mm to 11mm, works pretty well on my 6mm pull cord. The downside: sharp teeth can tear up the rope, and it is very hard to move DOWN the rope, for instance when changing back to rappel mode. This is probably the best choice to carry as an emergency ascender. Superlight and compact, not too too pricey, and it does not wear out. Also useful for hauling packs and stuff like that.
BUT: not good on actual 8mm ropes. Very hard to get it grip => tears up the sheath when it does not work. If using the really nice, expensive, modern top-of-the-line ropes, then you definitely can afford a Petzl Basic and MicroTraxion for your ascending kit, to avoid tearing up the rope.
PRO TIPS:
A. Use a round-stock carabiner like the BD Rocklock or Cypher Iris.
B. Clip using the German style for most uses. The French style will work better forcing it past a lip.
C. CAN be used as a progress capture device using the German style, with the rope inside the carabiner. Not the best, but okay.
D. Now that these are wicked expensive, just get a MicroTraxion and Basic, which weigh a little more but work MUCH better.
The standard of handled ascenders! Works well, not too heavy, pretty strong. If you are looking for handled ascenders, these are the goods. When exploring canyons, exiting caving-style, or for rescue and SAR work, sometimes there is nothing like a real, handled ascender for getting up a rope.