Top-rope belaying with the GRIGRI anchored to the ground.
Warnings
- Carefully read the Instructions for Use used in this technical advice before consulting the advice itself. You must have already read and understood the information in the Instructions for Use to be able to understand this supplementary information.
- Mastering these techniques requires specific training. Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised.
- We provide examples of techniques related to your activity. There may be others that we do not describe here.
We are often asked about a particular use of the GRIGRI when it is anchored to the ground and not to the belayer. This is done mostly when there is a significant weight difference between climber and belayer, in order to prevent the belayer from being pulled against the wall too forcefully.
For this usage, Petzl recommends the following solution:the GRIGRI is anchored to the ground via the belayer.
- Put the ground anchor point at a distance of 1 to 2 m from the belayer.
- Position the carabiner gate opposite the attachment knot.
This technique should be used only for top-rope belaying, as the belayer is anchored to the ground: dynamic belaying is therefore limited. On the other hand, it enables good descent control and allows the belayer to use the standard belay technique.
Note that a technique commonly used for this application is the following: the GRIGRI is anchored to the ground with a sling:
This technique is strongly discouraged for the following reasons:
- if the GRIGRI is positioned at the wrong height for the belayer's size, the belayer risks involuntarily blocking the cam and preventing it from braking the rope.
- controlling the descent is more difficult than with the GRIGRI on the belayer because the weight of the climber cannot be felt.
