Pirana, anyone?

[Climb naked!]

Hey eveybody,

I was wondering if anyone has anything to share about the Petzl Pirana. I went to my local climbing/gear shop looking for a traditional 8 but they sold me on the Pirana instead. Im not so sure I care for the thing though. Ive been using an ATC for most raps and a Grigri from time to time. Ive never had any problems with either the ATC or Grigri but I have had several friction issuse with the Pirana. And yeah, Im pretty sure I have it rigged correctly. And no, I dont weigh that much. LOL

Thanks

[charlybldr]

Not sure what you mean by friction issues.

ATC's, 8's and Gri gri's are all great rap devices. The Pirana is great too. There are a number of different ways to rig it depending on the rope you are using and the amount of friction you desire.

What's happening? Can you be more specific?

Charly

[beadysee]

ATC's, 8's and Gri gri's are all great rap devices. The Pirana is great too. There are a number of different ways to rig it depending on the rope you are using and the amount of friction you desire.

I think one of the big advantages with the Pirana is that its easy to get on and off rappel without removing the device from your rappel biner. Its almost fixed there, with the rubber bumper thing and the correct carabiner. Handy in flow, or, whilst swimming.

Handles larger diameter wet ropes extremely well.

For me, with, say, 8mm canyon pro, I'd float an ATC on a sling above the Pirana for more friction, as the Pirana doesn't provide me with adequate friction by itself on a single slick 8mm, and I don't prefer to wrap all the horns as I don't get as smooth a descent with it rigged that way.

Also, I noted on some rope construction, maybe a coarser weave, on a wet rope, on a free rappel, I got significant chatter from my pirana. So much so, that I just switched back to my tried and true ATC for the rest of that day (probably 18 or so rappels in Paranymfi (sp?) Canyon on Crete). Smooth.

-Brian in SLC