Old Pirana learns new tricks (Part 1)
Gear de-evolution series
During my time as a canyoneering instructor, I have come to realize the immense influence that gear has on instruction. Sometimes if it feels like a sizable portion of the class, the instructor is just a walking manual of how to operate the latest gear.
But the thing is, I've been realizing that gear design seems to have a 'tipping point', where the design peaks, and after that....some of the gear becomes...more of a problem than solution. Especially when the design caters to beginners.
Recently, I dusted off an old Petzl Pirana. At the time, when I got it, ropes started to get too thin for it. The device became too fast. Or.....at the time, I just did not know how to create my own 'undocumented' friction. I did not know about rope-on-metal vs rope-on-rope, rope bend angles, and how to combine them. You learn that rigging Munters and ol' Figure 8s.