UKC

There is a lot of post on the subject, so sorry if I'm covering old ground.

Few questions:
1-a lot of posts point towards a Basic stripping the rope, but this seems to be hearsay, has anyone actually had this happen/got evidence?
2-is it best to use either device on a dynamic or static rope?
3-what is the Petzl Croll's purpose? and can it be used instead of the Basic?
4-can the Basic be used on overhanging ground? (unlike the Shunt)

Cheers Dan

In reply to dhwsa:

I can already hear the distant rumbling of Rope Access Workers ego's reving up!

In reply to dhwsa:

It can happen if you fall far enough. It won't if you avoid climbing above the device (weight the bottom of the rope so it runs through itself).


Low-stretch ropes are best for two reasons (static is a bit of a misnomer)- they are designed to be used with ascenders, with a thicker, stronger sheath, and they stretch less so you won't hit the ground on stretch when low on the route.


Crolls are only to be used with a chest harness. With one they work fine, but you can rig a Basic in the same way and it can be used in other ways too.


Yes. If you read the instructions Petzl show how to use the Basic for self belaying, they don't for the shunt. If you grab the shunt it won't work.

Make sure you take something for getting back down, and work out a system for transferring between them if you need to get down.

Just found this, maybe just what your after.... http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=2_504_24&p...

In reply to dhwsa:
Just to clarify on the Croll/Basic thing:

The Basic has a U-shape at the top of the device, and has two holes that allow you to put a carabiner through to completely enclose the rope. In their instructions, Petzl say this is how you should use it for TR soloing.

The Croll doesn't have that U-shape at the top, and hence you can't 'trap' the rope in it with a carabiner the same way. So unlike the Basic, Petzl don't recommend it for TR soloing. Instead it has a more open design and a single hole that you can clip with a carabiner or pass a strap through to hold it up. (Either by connecting it to a chest harness, or by passing a strap through from the back of your waist belt a bit like a pair of braces. Petzl have also started making a version of their most popular industrial harness that already has a Croll built in to the strap between the waist and the shoulder straps - very clever.)

While you can use a Basic as a chest ascender for SRT (as a caver, roped access worker or whatever), the more open design at the top of the Croll does keep things a bit less cluttered. So I'd say that's its purpose: to be a better chest ascender than a Basic, while sacrificing a bit of the Basic's functionality for other things.

hth

In reply to all:

Cheers for all the info. Much appreciated!!
Dan