Solo hauling

Anyone out there using the micro traxion for there bump hauler? (Hauler closest to bags)
Wondering if it will hold up to heavy bags and abuse!?

It's more commonly known as far end hauling.

Micro trax and mini trax are fine for connecting rope to haul bag. Used this setup from the start of a 12 day solo to simultaneously haul two massive haul bags (94lbs of water alone)

Kauait wrote:Anyone out there using the micro traxion for there bump hauler? (Hauler closest to bags) Wondering if it will hold up to heavy bags and abuse!?

Yes and yes.

Kevin did you use the micro? From experience the mini is plenty strong.

I've used both. Mini trax for the big haul I spoke about. Micro trax for more recent solo hauls of less weight. I use the micro trax for this now due to better efficiency than the mini which is always a plus when far end hailing past a longer crappy section before returning to the anchors

Thx Kevin
Cheers

I know this wasn't the question, but it's related:

The Pro Traxion and Micro Traxion have identical breaking strength as capture pulleys. The Pro Traxion is a bit stronger as just a pulley though. I didn't look at the Mini Traxion stats because it's no longer in production, but I compared all three a couple years ago and it too has the same breaking strength as a capture pulley.

Moral of the story, use the Micro Traxion over the Mini because it's got a bigger pulley. Use the Pro Traxion if you're hauling truly heavy loads without a 2 or 3 to 1 setup.

petzl.com/en/Sport/Pulleys/…

petzl.com/en/Sport/Pulleys/…

"Just a pulley" doesn't apply if you're hauling, just the progress capture strength matters. At that point the difference between the working load for pro and micro are the same and breaking strength only has a 0.5Kn difference in favor of the pro. Comparing weight, the micro comes out on top and comparing efficiency the pro gives you a 4% boost.

I always 2:1 since I'm only 115lbs and in that case the points are moot since the capture is only holding the static weight of the bags and the upper pulley in the 2:1 setup (I use a huge cmi pulley) is what's doing the work, not the progress capture unit.

Kevin, what does your 2:1 look like? Are you using the haul line, or a separate cord through the pulleys? Thanks

I use tech cord to connect the upper and lower pulleys.

This is what it looks like

kevin deweese wrote:I use tech cord to connect the upper and lower pulleys. This is what it looks like

Thanks

The image is accurate but a Pro Trax is many levels of overkill for what it is being used for. A Micro Trax is perfect.

Also, since I got back into wall climbing in 09 (17 El Cap routes and two runs up the Leaning Tower) I've attached my haul bags, (more than 300 pounds on Genesis recently) to the haul line with a Mini or Micro Trax and have NEVER damaged the rope.
Additionally, once you start using that technique, and understand 2:1 mechanical advantage, you will start to find all sorts of easy ways to move your bags around.

True. I use a micro trax instead of the protracted in the picture. Hudon is the reason I started attaching my bags to the haul line via a mini trax and it's been good times every since, except for the climbing part, that sux.

Thanks, Kevin. My job is finished here!

Mark Hudon wrote:Thanks, Kevin. My job is finished here!

No it's not. Please! :)

I still can't get 2:1 hauling to work well on a wall.

1:1 and 3:1 yes. 2:1 nope.

Send me a photo of your 2:1 system. I'll figure it out.

Mark Hudon wrote:Send me a photo of your 2:1 system. I'll figure it out.

It's identical to the cartoon Kevin posted, except the protrax and the inverted jummar are microtraxions, and the frost draw isn't there, just a short sports draw.

I use the handle less ascender because it's size makes it easier to hold onto so that you can pull it down as you move back up to reset the system.

Probably the biggest trick is figuring out if it's going to be better to attach the Z-cord to your harness for hip motion or to your ladders for a foot/stand motion. In general if I'm on a ledge I'll use my body and harness, if I'm at a hanging belay I'll use the foot/stand in the ladders. Choosing the best method for using the system based upon the belay setup is essential for smooth sailing

Keep the rig set up and carry it in a Fish bag.

The inverted ascender is a Mini-Trax, eh? Hmmm...
I don't have one in front of me now, but try this, go grab an ascender and replace that Micro-Trax with it and give it a go.
Any difference?

I remember on one route I was trying to make the kit really light but there was some device that didn't grab immediately and took an inch of tightening before it grabbed. It was very frustrating.

Other than that, Kevin's comment above is very good.

I get the rig set up and immediately pump the bags off the anchor. After they are free, I get comfortable and work out the best position and Zed cord length.

When you are pushing down on the lower rope grab, make sure that the Zed cord is tight thought the system to your belay loop.

Don't forget that 2:1 advantage is also 2:1 DISadvantage. All of your errors and inefficiencies will be doubled as will your advantages. You really need to weed out those disadvantages.

There is only one solution to this problem: "Practise! Practise! Practise!"

Get out to your local crag, and practise hauling rocks. Make sure the inside of your pig is well lined, and choose rocks that are round, not pointy. Don't leave the rocks at the top of the crag - instead, practise rapping with your rock-filled pig, as it is good practice for rapping the East Ledges descent off El Cap.

The 2:1 hauling ratchet really works well, once you get the hang of it. But it really takes a lot of practice, as the smallest little tweaks such as body position, how you place your aiders to stand in while hauling, the length of the zed-cord you use and so on, all greatly affect its efficiency.

You can't figure this out ANY other way except by using it. And learning one pitch up a big wall in Yosemite is NOT the place to learn that you haven't learned.

Dr. Piton Big Wall Tip of the Day:

When you set up the zed-cord, use a clove hitch around TWO identical oval carabiners, with the gates NOT opposed, and clip these two ovals to your belay loop/donut.

The benefits of this system are twofold: Firstly, you can use the clove hitch to easily adjust the length of zed-cord you are using, and secondly the two parallel crabs allow you to more easily undo the clove hitch once it's been weighted.

Get it?

Now, go out and practise!

One thing I might be doing wrong is I don't have a frost draw. just a short loop of spectra cord. Might that be an issue?