RipCord: MicroTrax Thumb Loop Cam Release

The following step-by-step instructions are how to modify a Microtrax (MT) or NanoTrax (NT) with an easy release thumb loop when using as a back-up device to a Taz Lov or Trango Vergo primary device. This allows quick and easy descent after topping out or hanging on the rope; easily descend from a hanging top-out; quickly descend when doing laps for endurance; or to work a section/crux of a route. It allows you to open the MT/NT while holding the rope with the lower hand to help control the descent, while the other hand controls the lever on the primary device.




Since publishing on the FB TRS group, there have been three complaints made by arm-chair climbers and gearoom “test-pilots” who’ve never tried the RIPcord Release. I’ll address each of these here before getting into the mods. I want to be clear - none of these have been observed during my year and a half of use.

1. “Cord will get entangled in toothed cam and prevent it from locking up.” This is pretty much impossible to happen since it is not a dangling single cord that can get flipped up into the cam. It is a short loop that’s on the back side of the cam away from the teeth.
2. “Cord loop will get caught on something to prevent it from locking up.” Unless you’re climbing in a brushy/bushy area, there is nothing for it to get caught on. The loop is on the backside of the MT/NT facing the body between your legs and it is vertically oriented, not horizontal like a lasso.
3. “Cam teeth will rub on rope while rapping causing it to snag and rip sheath fibers causing extra wear.” Take a look at the photos in my blogpost. There is plenty of clearance between the pulled open cam and the rope when rapping. If you use an older fatter rope, then it might be possible. I’ve used this mod with ropes that are 9.4-9.6. If it does snag the rope, then it’s going to lock up just like in a TRS “fall”. Once the teeth initiate the lock up, it’s the cam action that pinches the rope and stops movement, not the teeth.
4. I've only done this mod on a Microtrax. I suspect that if done on a Nanotrax it would be best used on smaller diameter ropes (8.9 -9.4) because of the narrower clearances between the pulley and cam. If you try this on a Nano, please share your results.

If your “inner climber” is paranoid, by all means don’t use this mode. However, if it looks like something that might be useful to you, then give it a try and make your own observations. This mod is is for MT/NT backup use and is fairly easy and safe to test the loop before grinding off the lock-out tab. YMMV.

Now with that out of the way, on with the story. In the past I used an unmodified MT for a couple years and found that with certain ropes it would both inadvertently get locked open while climbing (dangerous) and, while in the open position get unlocked and bit down on the rope while descending (totally annoying). This could be part of the reason why Petzl eliminated the lock-out feature in the new Nano Trax. (Also, Petzl has put out a statement re the Mini Trax in relation to using it for TR Solo, though I've not found a similar statement re the Micro Trax, which they probably should have).*

The following is the solution I’ve come up with that has worked well for the last year+. If you choose to do this mod, make sure you know what you’re doing, both climbing wise and modification-wise. This is not something recommended by the manufacturer and is outside their design parameters. Do so at your own risk.

1)  Grind off lock out nub (Microtrax only). I used a Dremel tool with an 1/8” carbide ball bit. If you have a NanoT, you’re fortunate because, while there's still a nub there, there is no receptacle for it to fit in to hold it open. Therefore it's just an unnecessary appendage that can be ignored.

2)  Use a piece of 1.5 mm accessory cord that’s about ~12” long. It’s easier and better to have more cord to work with than too short. Insert cord through keeper hole in the plastic housing and then out the side. Tie an overhand knot, cut and burn end so it is close to the knot. Insert knot into the recess in the body. If you have a NT, there is a metal post and recess in the plastic body instead. Tie a scaffold knot around the post, trim and burn the end of the cord.



3)  Insert Sharpie (or something of similar size) to hold the cam open while working on it. Insert the other end of cord through the open slot on the backside of the toothed cam. Pull through and tie a Scaffold knot leaving it somewhat loose. 



4)  Adjust knot so the loop is the correct size for your hand/thumb. Getting the size just right is a critical and a tricky step because you don’t want to tighten the knot all the way which makes it hard to loosen and adjust. This step is trial and error and you probably want to have the rope and ‘biner on hand that you’ll be using it with so that it’s easier to judge the most efficient size of the thumb loop. The goal is to keep it as small as possible and to be able to open the cam all the way till it bumps into the plastic house (see last photo below). This is important so that it doesn't snag the rope. Once you’re happy with the size, cinch it down tight, trim the excess cord off and burn the end.

 



I’ve not found the RipCord to interfere with the action of the MT. In my setup it's not possible for the loop to get sucked into the toothed cam because it’s too small and there is no loose dangling end to get sucked in. I also haven’t found the loop catching on anything while climbing/"falling" because of its position on the back side of the device out of the way. YMMV.



On the Tope Rope Solo list on FB a couple of people did not like the idea of the cam teeth being close to the rope while rapping and the possibility of the teeth snagging the rope. This has never happened in over a year of use. Take a look at the above right photo which shows the thumb loop in use with the MT cover swung open. It's clear that the rope rotates around the pulley away from the toothed cam and at it's closest there is 5mm-6mm clearance. This is with a 9.5 rope. With a rope of 10mm or larger it could be a concern. With smaller diameter ropes it's not an issue. As with all things I post, if you are not comfortable with it, by all means don't do it. I'm simply sharing my experience.

The following video clip shows one of my TRS setups (with Trango Vergo primary device) with the MicroTrax as a backup and the ease with which one can easily descend at any point. This shows me climbing and rapping the first 25' of a 100' route.

BONUS: The RipCord loop can also be used as a very efficient tow loop if using the MT as your primary device. Use the loop to connect to your necklace or chest harness. When transitioning to descending, it’s easy to put a Grigri on the other free strand of rope and take it up tight, release the MT/NT and take it off the rope and just leave it hanging on your necklace/chest harness while rapping.

_________________________________________________________________

* “Petzl has studied the current usage of the MINI TRAXION as a self-belay device on a fixed rope. Serious accidents and many handling errors have been reported.

The risk of using the device with the cam held open is significant, as well as the possibility of accidental opening of the cam when climbing.

Consequently, the MINI TRAXION must be paired with a different ascender: ASCENSION, BASIC, MICROCENDER...
Petzl does not recommend using a system consisting of only two MINI TRAXION for self-belayed solo climbing with a fixed rope.”

https://www.petzl.com/INT/en/Sport/Appendix-4--Precautions-and-introduction-to-risk-analysis?ActivityName=rock-climbing

MicroTrax Keeper/TR solo cord

OK, kiddos. It’s time for another “show ’n tell”. This time something I ripped off the basic idea from a Mt. Proj. post. <https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/119480325/didja-know-the-petzl-micro-traxion-has-a-keeper-cord-hole> The poster claims that someone associated with Petzl told him about this hidden secret. 

There’s a small hole in the plastic casing of the MT that goes through the spine and out the side. This allow a 1.5 mm cord to be attached that can act as a keeper cord or attachment point for TRS necklace/webbing/harness

 

• If you take the MT off before you rap, it helps keep you from dropping it
• If using the MT as primary device, it can be used to connect to your necklace/webbing/harness and will hold it up for feeding
• It’s simple to take ‘biner out, remove MT from rope and let it dangle from necklace while rapping. 
• Or, you can take ‘biner out, lockout the MT and rap. This leaves on the rope and ready to reconnect at the base. It seems to hold it at an angle where it won’t catch the cam and re-engage. A nasty habit that it normally has. 

The neat thing about attaching a cord this way is that doesn’t interfere with the opening and closing of the side plate

Only 1.5mm cord or less will work. (You might be able to get a 2mm piece through but it would be a challenge)

1. cut a length of cord (better too long than short 10” is a good length
2. melt one end and with a its grab the end and pull and twist. This gives a nice taper to the end.
3. tie a loop using an overhand knot in the other end making the loop the desire size.
4. take the other end and thread it through the MT casing from the spine side gently feeding it until it comes out the side of the casing.
5. tie an overhand stopper knot adjusting it for the desired length
6. cut the extra cord about 1/2” from the knot
7. burn the end so that a little molten blob forms near the knot
8. pull loop end until the knot completely seats in the the hollow space in the MT casing.

(If I were just going to use as a keeper cord I’d make it a bit longer and use the loop to form a slip knot that could be cinched down on the ‘biner)

Wah-La!

PS apparently the Petzl Sm’D ‘biner has a matching hole if your primary goal was to have it on a “leash”. If you used this ‘biner, you'd do away with the loop and just have another stopper knot on each end of the cord.

=======================

MicroTrax Addendum

(only pertinent if you use the MT for TR-soloing and hold it up by a leash connected to the MT as detailed above

=======================

The issue:

If you use the MT as your primary device held vertically with the leash as detailed in my previous post, it’s possible that it can induce more drag than if it is held vertically by making the connection to the ‘biner. Whether or not you’re paying a friction penalty and whether it’s significant or not depends upon the ‘biner/rope combo used. 

Should you give a shit? Well like most things, it depends...

Simple experiment:

You can perform a simple test to see if you’re paying a friction penalty by using a leash to connect the MT to your necklace/webbing/chest harness. In general, the larger diameter the rope and the larger the diameter/cross-section of a biner, the more likely there could be a significant amount of friction versus a simple doubled loop around the ‘biner connected to the necklace/webbing/harness.

Do this:

• Hang the rope you use and put the MT with leash on it and pull up the rope - note the amount of friction
• Do same thing but instead of using the leash, use a loop of cord doubled around the ‘biner and pull up the rope - note the amount of friction

If you don’t notice any difference or if the difference is insignificant to you, then you’re golden - forget about the rest of the post. If you do notice that there’s significantly more friction/drag using the leash, there’s four possible solutions:

1. Use a smaller rope size if you’re using 10 or larger.
2. Use an I-beam cross-section or smaller cross-section ‘biner if you’re using a large round cross-section ‘biner. In testing, I used a Edelrid HMS Strike Slider with a 9.5 rope, and while I could sense there was a bit more drag, it was not objectionable.
3. Forget the MT leash and just use the doubled loop of cord around the ‘biner and put up with the hassle of putting it on and off and hope you don’t drop it.
4. Forget the MT altogether and use a Roll’nLock which you don’t have keep putting on and off when rapping because it positively locks-out (and it feeds just as well) :-)

Technical explanation:

• The reason that the MT leash may have more friction is that the MT is pulled (held up) which forces the ‘biner down against the rope and pulley. (photo 1). With the wrong rope and ‘biner this causes noticeable friction
  
  

• With the ‘biner cord loop connection, the ‘biner is lifted up and pulled away from the rope/pulley which reduces the pressure on the rope. (photo2) 
  
  

Bottom line:

We’re not talking about great amounts of friction here in most cases. However, it may be enough to cause you to re-evalutate whether to use the MT leash connection or not, and if you do whether to try and mitigate that. For me the whole leash thing came up because I was constantly taking the MT on and off to rap because of the unpredictable lock-out feature. It’s unfortunate that Petzl didn’t do a better job engineering that because it’s neat feature that's easy to operate with one hand. BUT, if it's going to lock or unlock unpredictably on me then it’s not something I want to use.

OK, there you go. Probably more info than most people ever wanted or need to know. TRSers can now have their own leash vs no-leash “discussions" just like surfers and ice climbers! :-)

Microtraxion vs Roll’nLock: A Tale of Two Top Rope Solo Back-Up Devices

This post is for informational purposes only and is the result of my personal experiences. YMMV.

I thought I’d use the time to write this up while the weather is not cooperating for being out on the rock. Snow, ice, freezing rain and mud are not my cuppa tea! Hat’s off to all you folks who thrive on those conditions!

First some general info re the MT and R'nL. There is no significant difference in size/weight or feed on the rope. Both use a cam to lock on the rope against the pulley/bushing but they differ as to how they initiate the lock-up. The R’nL has sharp “V” cutout with ribs to grab the rope and initiate the pinching of the cam against the bushing, while the MT uses conical teeth to grab the rope to initiate the lock-up of the cam against the pulley. The MT has a sealed bearing inside the pulley. The R’nL just has a bushing inside the smaller diameter pulley which is integrated into the cam lobe. Both are rated with specs that are adequate for TRS as a primary or back-up device. When loaded onto a rope, the MT cam is completely enclosed inside the device while the cam on the R'nL sticks out below (a bit of a safety concern if the R'nL is used as a primary device above another device).

In my TRS rigs, I always use a MT or R'nL as a backup. Early on I found it a hassle to take either one off the rope to rap. I was seeking to optimize my system so I didn’t have to take the back-up off at the top of the route when doing laps. Both devices have lock-out modes so they can be held open and stay attached on the rope while sliding freely down the rope when rapping. The R’nL’s lock-out feature is extremely positive and hands free once locked out, though it often takes two hands to do that. (I previously devised a finger loop to allow one-handed operation for that: https://sicgrips.blogspot.com/.../rollnlock-as-tr-solo... )

The MT’s lock-out feature on the other hand, is finicky and less reliable in my experience. With the MT I’ve randomly experienced both locking-open and locking-on the rope when not wanted. (Could this be why Petzl removed the feature in the new Nano??? ) This could be a result of the size and condition of the ropes I was using but I was never able to isolate the issue. When rapping, it’s annoying to come to an abrupt and sudden stop when it unwontedly locks-on and bites down on the rope. Conversely, it is down right dangerous if it happens to lock-open when climbing and you weight the rope or take a “fall” and your primary device fails. Not likely but could be possible.

CAUTION: Any device that can be locked open is subject to user error by forgetting to lock it on the rope before climbing/after rapping. ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK!

A solution for the MT's unpredictability, is to grind off the lock-out nub. Problem solved - at least for safer climbing. However, then the device can’t be locked-open for rapping and I'm forced to remove it from the rope. My solution is to add a simple thumb loop shown below. By this addition I insert thumb and pull up which manually opens the cam while grabbing the rope between the rappel device and the MT when rapping. This positions the hand in the perfect spot for tensioning the rope while rapping with a Lov2, Vergo, or GG or what-have-you. However, this is a manual operation and it is only unlocked while you’re holding it open with the thumb loop. This gives the added benefit of serving as a back-up (like an auto-block would) during the rappel.

The mod involves adding a thumb loop of accessory cord. I used 1.5 mm accessory to keep the knots as small as possible and out of the way. One end is fed down through the molded in hole in the plastic housing that is intended for an optional keeper cord (older MTs don't have this). A simple overhand knot neatly tucks out of the way in the knot pocket in the housing. The other end of the cord is fed through the hole at the end of the of the toothed cam. This can be secured simply with an over-hand knot that acts as a stopper knot like the other end. However, I’ve chosen to use a Scaffold knot which centers it and keeps it out of the way on the backside of the cam. It took me a bit of experimenting to get the loop exactly the right length for my hand, trying to keep it as small as possible but still be able to easily slip my thumb in and out and be able to grab the free rope strand.

For me, the beauty of this mod is when using it as a backup for the Lov2 or Vergo, at the top of route; whenever I “fall”; or, any place I want to work a move; I simply hang on the primary device, insert thumb and pull up on the quick release loop on the MT, and descend using the Lov2 or Vergo.

Note: the fatter the rope the more attention is needed to keep the cam open and teeth out of the way. I use it on 9.4 - 9.9 ropes.

BONUS!

The following mod is only helpful if using the MT as both a primary and secondary (back-up) device. If it is only used as a back-up device, then the basic thumb-loop above is adequate. If it is only used as a primary device, then then just a tow loop is necessary: 

By tying an extra overhand loop off the main thumb loop, the MT can also be used as a primary device held vertically by a necklace/sling. This extra loop provides a connection point that isolates it from the MT's cam and prevents it from opening in the event of a weird fall. The main thumb loop should never be used as a connection point to hold vertically! It might seem simpler to not have a separate tow loop, but in a fall backwards/away from the device, the thumb loop-sling connection can open the cam on the MT. 

The proportion of the thumb loop's legs to each other are critical. 'Y' should always be 2-4 times as long as 'X'. This insures that when it is connected to a sling/harness as the primary device, held vertically, and towed up the rope - the 'Y' portion of the thumb loop will be slack and the weight of the device/rope friction is totally held by the 'X' leg. If 'Y's not slack, there is the possibility that it will open the cam when towed up the rope or during or during a "fall" where the climber falls out way from the device. However the other extreme should be avoided also: 'Y' should not be too long in relation to 'X' as to create a huge loop that could catch on something. The second photo below shows an ideal amount of slack when connected as a primary device. In the video below, the ratio of 'X' to 'Y' is a little too great and creates too big a thumb loop when when connected as a primary device. Hope this all makes sense. If not you can respond below. 

The extra connection loop isolates it from opening the cam. It also makes it easier to connect and disconnect because nothing has to be fed through the MT 'biner hole to connect to the necklace/sling. The MT can be opened and closed without having to remove the connection point (cord) like other setups. It took a bit of experimenting with the size and relative locations of the loops to optimize them for my set-up.

This video clip shows how the double loop can be used either as a connection point to be used as a primary device, or as a quick release for rapping when used as a back-up device. The thumb loop also aids in opening the toothed cam after a fall or weighting the rope by inserting thumb and pulling up. In order to do this, the rope needs to be tensioned below the MT or it needs to be un-weighted. (Also note as stated above that in this example the leg ratio of 'Y' to 'X' is  little too great. The overhand knot tow loop should be re-tied to reduce that ratio. This is also the beauty of this set-up, in that it is easy to re-tie the overhand loop to adjust the relative leg lengths.)

BACK TO THE R’NL

Nowadays, if I’m using it as my backup, I’ve found an easy and comfortable way to grab the device and open the cam while grabbing the rope just ahead of the device. See photo. This allows me to keep the cam open and grab the rope at the same time. I grab the R’nL cam with the lower part of my hand and pivot the cam up using my lower part of my hand and fingers to keep it open and wrapping my hand around the rope and device together. Simple to do and I don’t have to use the finger/thumb loop; and, the cam is still active should my hand come of the rope while rappelling so it would act like an auto-block. Plus, I still have the option to lock the R'nL open if I desire.

Sooo, bottom line: Both do their job well. Both are suited to be either a primary or a secondary/back-up TRS device. Both devices can easily be used in series with each other for a TRS rig: one as primary, the other as secondary. The drawback being that a GG, ATC, or some such rappel device has to be added in order to rap (unless using a Lov Taz2 or a Vergo). Neither are rated as a primary device for LRSing, but both can serve as a cache loop manager and then be used as a primary or back-up for TRSing back to the anchors.

SUMMARY

MT

Positives: Pivots slightly less when locking up; Better/more efficient for hauling or any time there is a significant bend in the rope with weight on it (because of bearings in the pulley); it’s slightly more compact; As a TRS primary device with the double loop mod, it’s easy to connect/disconnect to chest sling/necklace. With thumb loop (and tab removed), it’s always safely locked on rope.

Negatives: If the lock-out tab is not removed, it is finicky and can be a PITA when rapping and dangerous if it locks open un-noticed; slightly more friction with fatter ropes/‘biners when ascending (though not significant); just slightly harder to remove from rope once it’s weighted (thumb loop alleviates that); no easy way to manually hold open while rapping (without thumb-loop) if you’ve ground the tab off. Needs modifying to be optimal IMO (or buy a new Nano that doesn't have the lock-out tab).

R’NL

Positives: Positive hands-free lock-out if needed; easy to manually hold open device while rapping without a thumb/finger loop; slightly less friction when used as a primary device; half the cost of the MT; little to no possibility of it unwontedly locking open

Negatives: Pivots a slightly more when locking up because of length of device; a bit of a hassle (even with finger loop) to lock open the cam because the cam must be rotated significantly. Not the best if you’re going to do a lot of hauling. The external location of the cam outside the housing is a safety concern when using as a primary TRS device above another device.

SO THEN…

Question: which one is better as a back-up?

Answer: It depends - they both have have positives and negatives. If your leaving it on the rope when rapping and want it to be hands-free, then the R’nL is the answer. If you’ve ground the tab off the MT, then using the thumb loop and manually hold it open while rapping is super slick. If you don’t have either device, pick the one that has the most positive features for your intended uses.

Question: Should you switch from one to the other?

Answer: Probably not, unless one of the methods for keeping it open while rapping has a significant advantage for you or unless you plan on doing a lot of hauling also, then, defiitely the MT would be better.

Update: There have been recent claims that the R’nL will not lock up if twists on the rope. I think this would be more of a concern if using the RnL as a primary device. Test and use at your own risk. I’ve mainly used it as a back up and in the lower position the top device should keep it from twisting on the rope. If this is a concern to you, by all means use the MicroTrax.

Competition / Brotherhood Knot

 ==================

First off, I’m not trying to convince anyone - I’m just putting this out there for anyone interested. Most people are content using whatever knot they’ve always been using. However, since learning of the Competition Knot, I’ve found that it meets my needs most of the time and I've used it off and on for the last 5 years. Some Europeans have been using it for decades. I assume it got it’s name from being used for competition climbing and the likelihood of whipping on it and not impossibly cinching up, though I haven’t confirmed that.

How to tie it: 

https://www.krstendelap.com/tech-tips/brotherhood-knot

https://youtu.be/Au8KiUS4RCc   

https://youtu.be/QOHKc4BSMOA (erroneously called a "Ring Bend" in this video)

A simple description - based on how it’s tied is an "overhand looped follow-through” - i.e. the exit strand circles around and enters the same point as the original strand and follows it back around for ‘another lap’.

It has alternately been called the Brotherhood Knot (AMGA manual), It is related to, and has erroneously been identified as a Ring Bend/Water Knot, and Offset Overhand. It’s NOT an overhand retrace or overhand on a bight, in which the exit strand retraces the original strand back through in the opposite direction and both exit the knot on the same side.  Like these and many other knots (including the EDK and Overhand on a Bight), it is based on the basic geometry of the Overhand Knot

  

One of the beauties of the competition knot is that it can only constrict so much in a fall because it is pulling against itself, pulling two of the constricting bights in opposite directions, keeping it somewhat “open” so that it’s easier to untie. Untying it is similar to untying a Figure-8 by flipping two bights to loosen it.

Positives

• uses less rope
• less bulk
• faster to tie (once you know how)
• similar to figure-8 in that no back-up knot is needed (bowline requires a backup knot)
• easy to untie but will not untie by itself if there is no pressure on it
• easy to inspect once you (or your partner) becomes use to it
• It’s helpful as ropes dimeters grow smaller and knots constrict tighter
• especially good when doing laps or working a section of a route because of constant whipping/hanging/rapping which causes knots to constrict more over time

Negatives 

• It is little known so it makes people wary. People are afraid of the unknown (sometimes with good reason). 
• Not as easy to untie as a Bowline after whipping but better than a Figure-8
• Un-informed partners can’t double check you (but remember our context here is rope soloing :-)
• May not be quite as strong as other tie-in knots, but when is the last time you heard of a rope breaking at the knot from a fall? Your bod will break before the knot does!
• If they see you using it in a gym, they will probably call you out.

Finally, like most knots, it needs to be dressed properly “... tied neatly, with no crossed strands and adequate tail” and tuck extra tail back through belay loop to keep out of the way.

To check knot, you need to do the 2, 2, 2, 2 check with one of the loops strands and the live rope pulling in opposite directions

Note: If you’re geometrically/spatially/or knot challenged, or paranoid re the veracity and appropriateness of this knot...DO NOT USE IT!

YMMV

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Additional background info: 

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rock_talk/ring_knot-671974#main

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/107108289/ring-bend-as-tie-in-knot

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/111814291/how-do-you-tie-in?page=2 

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/3016274/Tying-in-with-an-Overhand-Follow-Through