GG Lead Rope Solo Experiments

GG LRS Mods - Introduction*

Note: if you landed here and are not interested in Grigri related posts but other topics that I’ve posted on in relation to climbing, TRS or LRS, or other devices, then please scroll down through the chronological listing of my posts.

This is the dynamic index to my Grigri modifications for LRS (Lead Rope Solo). The index will be added to and made active as I have time - it’s a tug of war between experimenting, finishing half-baked ideas, and documenting the past 😕.  It will be “pinned” to the top of my blog and contain links to individual blog posts (both past and yet to be written up) which discuss the topic listed. I should note that many ideas may not have lots of proven use and data behind them, and thus should be approached with caution and care. I hope to publish cautions and failures also, so that others can learn from and build upon should they desire. For those who want to follow along, you may want to bookmark the page and check back from time to time.

(Background: I had wanted to start a separate climbing list on Discord called, Freaks and Geeks: Cutting Edge Rope Solo Ideas and Experiments. However, I didn’t want the responsibility of setting membership criteria and moderating the group itself. So this index documents my personal experiments and practices so far. Most of the mods are for the GG+ and GG 2019. However, a few will apply to the Neox which will be noted.)

Disclaimer: Rope soloing is dangerous. You should not rope solo unless you are experienced in lead climbing, top rope soloing techniques, and self rescue techniques. Using a stock or modified Grigri for rope soloing is beyond the manufacturers approved use of the device and voids the warranty, ruin your device, and lead to injury and death. GG mods for rop soloing is an advanced level topic and is only the last method that should be used to advance performance. Experience; systems knowledge; backup methods; physical training; and developed wisdom, by FAR take priority over modding a GG for hoped improved performance. Anything that actually involves modifying the Grigri by cutting, grinding, gluing, etc. should not be done unless you are a skilled, experienced and confident tinkerer!

* Even though this outline might appear fairly comprehensive, it does not pretend to be. It’s only a list of things I’ve tried or am in the process of trying.

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Index

Outline/indents = typical logical relationships

GG mod Introduction and logical ordering of mods

Grigri HUR methods (held upright) - an Introduction

    1.  Drilling
          A)  Plastic spine
          B)  Pivoting Cover

          C)  Metal plate, handle side
    2.  Non-drilling
          A)  Loop through pivoting side cover

          B)  HUB Bridle
          D)  Adding HUR cord 
               1)  Bliss Tech GG modifier
               2)  Steel tab
               3)  Plastic tab
               4)  Epoxy Putty

     3.  HUR - Bridle Slider (BSer) 

Chest harness connections - for increasing the likelihood it will catch an inverted fall

    1.  Derek Averill’s widget

    2.  Gravity switch

           A)  Mechanical: Ball & slider

           B)  Magnetic

           C)  Electronic

Grigri rope tab modifications: intro and warning

    1.  Complete Removal

           A)   Mitigating dangers 

                1)  New cam arm rope tab
                2)  Rope finger on pivoting plate
                3). Epoxy putty fillet

    2.  Partial Removal (GG 2019, GG+, Neox)

    3.  Trimming & filing pivoting cover

    4.  Grigri spine shim mod (only helpful for GGs with modified or removed tab)

Cam Arm Spring Mods

    1.  Spring Removal (Neox)
    2.  Tension release (GG 2 and GG 2019)
          A)  Grinding end of spring off
          B)  Pushing Spring End inside of body
     3.  Magnetic Cam Arm Release (GG2019 & Neox with spring mod)

GG Lever Shortening