Modifying your Gri-Gri
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There are quite a few ways to modify a Gri-Gri but the one I am talking about can be used for a solo belay, such as in a rope soloing instance or a solo-aid instance. I know that this is done by folks with a grinder and a hack saw and involves taking off the smooth part for lowering and part of the feeding portion, but I can't find a picture of it. |
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Modifying a piece of mechanical hardware away for manufacturer's specs is foolish, and I don't recommend it. The most intelligent thing to do, IMO, would be to contact Petzl and get their advice on the matter. |
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Ken Cangi wrote:Modifying a piece of mechanical hardware away for manufacturer's specs is foolish, and I don't recommend it.I have had one of these modified Gri-Gris and I kow for a fact it still holds a falls and works just fine for solo TRing. I also know (albeit secondhand) that it can hold a 75+ft aid fall. Yes, I agree that modifying hardware can be a dangerous thing to do, especially if you don't know what you are doing. I am only looking for a picture of a modified one to compare it to my old one. I will contact Petzl, but I figure they will stone wall me with a blanket statement that runs something like 'Petzl does no, and does not condone the modification of...' -Ladd Raine |
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Ladd, |
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Quote from Gri-Gri to Soloist Modification article: |
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It's pretty common sense that modifying the gear in this way will void a manufacturer's liability (which is very little in the first place). |
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I wasn't talking about voiding the manufacturer's warranty. That would be the least of someone's problems if the gear failed. |
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Niether was I... I was talking about liability. |
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Glad we cleared that up, and Ladd got his information. Isn't life great? |
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A lot of people soloing with Grigri's now don't modify them. |
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I did mine like the picture shows in Jared Ogden's Big Wall book. It is no big deal, doesn't affect the integrity, and simply keeps the gri gri oriented upwards. It is great, and a dream to use and fall on. |
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Ladd Raine wrote: I am only looking for a picture of a modified one to compare it to my old one. -Ladd RaineStill looking for a modified picture if anyone has one. John, I used to keep mine tied up with a light chest harness to make sure it kept its vertical orientation. |
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Ladd, there are picutres on the website I included earlier... |
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James M Schroeder wrote:Ladd, there are picutres on the website I included earlier...Alright, sorry about that, I can't access the page you've linked from work, I'll take a look when I get home, thanks! -Ladd |
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I have used it, and have taken serious air on it. Works great, yeah the manufacturer does not recommend it but they are covering there ass in this wonderful country where we can blame everyone else for our actions. |
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For free climbing you cannot beat the Silent Partner. A modified Gri-Gri is excellent for aid, but is still a pain to feed while free climbing on lead (plus I hate chest harnesses.) |
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I wanted to rig my Gri GRi so that I could aid solo with it but also still use it for being a top rope hero. It seems that the way I have done it works fine with both. The danger of course is the handle getting caught on something allowing it to open. I usually put a piece of tape over the lever. I use a small enough cord that I dont have to have a big intrusive hole and so that if needed the cord could break to orient my body in case of a massive fall. I have heard of people using light bungee and of Velcro. The side that I have my stopper not is different then other ways on purpose because the way that I have it allows the gri gri to align up and down better. |
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I found a Soloist used for $50. Less trouble than modifying the Gri Gri. |
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Ladd, |
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Can an ascender be used as as TR solo device if the end of the rope is anchored to something at the base to keep the rope taut? |
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Matt TeNgaio wrote:Can an ascender be used as as TR solo device if the end of the rope is anchored to something at the base to keep the rope taut?I wouldn't. Best to use a mini traxion and tie backup knots. |