Toothless progress capture device

r m wrote:I think you're going about this the wrong way out of a common but misplaced fear that teethed ascenders like the microtrax, ascension and basic, shred ropes. Unless you're fucking up in some way, they pose no threat to your rope. If you are in the business of fuckups then a bit of sheath damage is the least of your concerns.

This. I've been TR soloing on a mini trax for 3 years now and taken many, many falls onto it and never experienced any sheath damage from it. And, the mini trax has sharper teeth than the micro-trax which replaced it. If you're that concerned about sheath damage, you can put a prusik above the traxion which will catch you in the extremely unlikely event that you somehow manage to sever the sheath. The prusik will also be self-managing because the traxion will push it up.

Disclaimer: I wouldn't want to use a toothed device TR soloing on a static rope because forces will be higher if you fall. But then again, you should be using a dynamic rope anyways.

drewdogg2112 wrote: Has anyone else used the Kong Duck? That seems pretty cool.

I bought a Duck for ascending a fixed line out of a local crag that requires rapping in and ascending out. I love the little guy and keep it on my harness most of the time now. It's really small and light when stored on a little nano biner. When I want to use it, I swap biners with the BD Rocklock that I use for my belay device. I find my hand fits comfortably in the Duck+RockLock and it slides up the rope really efficiently.

I glanced over the replies, but I highly suggest the Ropeman 1.

r m wrote:I think you're going about this the wrong way out of a common but misplaced fear that teethed ascenders like the microtrax, ascension and basic, shred ropes. Unless you're fucking up in some way, they pose no threat to your rope. If you are in the business of fuckups then a bit of sheath damage is the least of your concerns.

+1

My primary is the Micro Traxion and my secondary is the Microcender. I only switched from an ascender because it could be a pain to release unless I topped out. Many falls on the ascender but no rope damage.

I like my shunt

Eli Buzzell wrote:I like my shunt

Me too.

Nobody has mentioned a kong backup. Made for rope access and designed to take falls. Met heaps of people that use them it Australia...got one and it is awesome. I use overhand knots in the main line as backups. Comes with a burly steel carabiner so cross loading is no issue and no chest harness is used. There is also a camp gremlin that is designed for a similar purpose but I haven't tried it yet. The Kong feeds very well. Can't imagine using anything else and I have tried a bunch.