Petzl Grigri® + Belay Device

The Petzl Grigri® + is a belay device designed for learning and top rope climbing, featuring cam-assisted blocking and an anti-panic handle. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and can accommodate single ropes with a diameter of 8.5 to 11 mm. Its specific mode allows for easier slack management, making it an ideal choice for top rope climbing. Additionally, it is reinforced for intensive use and offers numerous features for a better belay experience.

Features

Belay device with cam-assisted blocking for learning, top roping, and intensive use:

• Designed for belaying both lead and top rope climbers.
  
• Specifically optimised for top rope climbing, featuring a lockable selector knob that allows the selection of top rope belay mode. This function simplifies slack retrieval and enhances comfort during belaying.
  
• Constructed with a stainless steel wear plate, ensuring exceptional durability for frequent and intensive use.
• Incorporates cam-assisted blocking for improved belay comfort. When the climber falls or puts weight on the system, the rope tightens, prompting the cam to pivot and securely pinch the rope.
  
  

Easy to use:

• Features an intuitive rope installation process, with a clearly engraved diagram on the device for guidance.
  
• Enables seamless slack feeding and fall-catching using standard Petzl belay techniques, always requiring the brake-side hand to remain on the rope.
  
• The cam-assisted blocking system provides flexibility in brake-hand positioning, regardless of the angle between the climber's side and the brake side of the rope.
  
• Compatible with dynamic single ropes ranging from 8.5 to 11 mm in diameter, with optimal performance for ropes between 8.9 and 10.5 mm.
  
  

Descent control:

• Equipped with an ergonomic handle, allowing for effortless rope unblocking and controlled lowering of the climber.
  
• Utilises a 3:1 mechanical advantage through the handle and camming mechanism, minimising effort while ensuring smooth descent control across various rope diameters.
  
• Features an anti-panic handle, which automatically engages to halt the descent if excessive force is applied to the handle.

Technology

Technical Notice

• Download the PDF : technical-notice-GRIGRI-PLUS-1 - 3.73 MB

Declaration Of Conformity

• Download the PDF : UE-Declaration-D13A-Grigri-+ - 0.65 MB
• Download the PDF : UKCA-Declaration-D13A-GRIGRI-PLUS - 0.49 MB

Tips for maintaining your equipment

• Download the PDF - 3.56 MB

Inspection

PPE inspection procedure

• Download the PDF - 1.64 MB

PPE checklist

• Download the PDF - 0.23 MB

Technical Content

Ascending a Rope With GriGri, GriGri + and Neox

Ascending a rope is necessary in certain situations, for example if you descended too far on a rappel and need to go back up to reach the next rappel station. GRIGRI, GRIGRI + and NEOX can be used to ascend a rope, keeping the rope taut and taking up slack as you ascend.

WARNING: from the moment you stop, start, ascend, descend or even pendulum on a fixed rope, you make it all the more vulnerable to abrasion. Locate possible rub points on the rock as you descend, as this will tell you how much movement you can allow yourself in the event of a problem.

Note: the NEOX is less effective than the GRIGRI in this usage, due to the lag time in blocking (maximum one half rotation of the wheel) as described in the Instructions for Use. See also the technical tip: Normal sound of the NEOX.

If the rock is not too steep and allows you to stand on your feet:

Keep the brake side of the rope in your hand and take up slack as you ascend.

If you need to let go of the rope for your tasks (e.g. untangling the rope, making a belay), tie a knot in the brake side of the rope (see technical tip: Hands-free position with GRIGRI and NEOX).

Note: In any case, you must not let go of the brake side of the rope and climb. Self-belayed climbing is not allowed with the GRIGRI, GRIGRI + or NEOX.

Below an overhang or in any situation without support for the feet:

Use an ascender (e.g. TIBLOC, BASIC or even a Prusik) on the rope, and a sling to stand up in.

Belaying a Second From Above With GriGri, GriGri + and Neox

GRIGRI, GRIGRI + and NEOX can be used for belaying the second from the belay station on multi-pitch routes.

Two techniques may be used: belaying with the device on the anchor, or belaying with the device on the harness with the rope redirected. In both cases, the rope must be installed in the device in the same way, respecting the marking indicating the climber side of the rope. The belayer must never let go of the brake side of the rope.

Take care to avoid any blocking of the device or any pressure on the cam that could negate the braking action on the rope.

The belayer must continuously hold the brake side of the rope, even while the climber is stopped.

WARNING: With NEOX, but also with GRIGRI and GRIGRI +, on thin or new ropes, if the rope isn't held, it will slide through the device under its own weight, creating dangerous slack for the climber. This can happen more easily when belaying with the device on the anchor.

If the belayer needs to have their hands free, a stopper knot can be tied in the brake side of the rope.

Rappelling With GriGri and Neox

GRIGRI and NEOX enable rappelling on a single rope: on a retrievable system with one strand blocked, or on a fixed rope.

Hold the brake side of the rope and gradually pull the release handle. The handle helps adjust the friction, but the descent is controlled by the hand gripping the brake side of the rope.

Rappelling can be done on EN 892 dynamic or EN 1891 low stretch rope of a compatible diameter indicated on the device.

WARNING: A strong pull on the brake side of the rope can cause the GRIGRI or NEOX to unblock.

With NEOX, GRIGRI + from 2017 and on, and GRIGRI from 2019 and on, unblocking and a consequent fall can occur if the rope below the user is heavily loaded. Unblocking can occur if the rope is loaded with a weight equal to or greater than that of the person rappelling.

Examples of dangerous situations:

Rescue from below:

• The rescuer must not ascend the rope of a person who is stuck on rappel.
• Bottom belay: the person performing the belay must not hang on the rope.

Multiple people rappelling in sequence, with descenders pre-installed on the rope:

• If the person waiting in turn to rappel has their descender pre-installed on the rope, it can be inverted (and thus unblocked) by the weight of the person rappelling below them. So it will not be operational when the second person wants to start their rappel.
  
  

Belaying Multi-Pitch Routes on Single Rope With a GriGri

When climbing a difficult pitch, a single rope is more convenient and straightforward for the climber. For the belayer, using a GRIGRI is also more convenient if the leader needs to work certain sections.

While Climbing

1. BELAYING THE LEADER DYNAMICALLY

With the GRIGRI, the movement of the belayer enables dynamic belaying. On a multi-pitch route, this movement is limited by the risk of hitting the belay station. A long tether gives the belayer room to move.

2. BELAYING THE SECOND

With a REVERSO:

• The leader can climb light with a REVERSO, which is convenient for belaying the second.
  
  

With a GRIGRI:

• Pay attention to the position of the GRIGRI: any blockage of the device or its cam will negate the braking action on the rope. To do this, see the technical advice on belaying a second with the GRIGRI.
  
  

Using the GriGri/GriGri + With a Low Stretch Kernmantel Rope

GRIGRI and GRIGRI + may be used with a low stretch kernmantel rope, with certain limitations on use:

Triggering the Anti-Panic Handle

Working Principle

The GRIGRI + has an anti-panic handle that is especially useful in learning how to control a lower.

If the belayer pulls too hard on the handle, the anti-panic mechanism triggers and stops the descent.

To continue the descent, the belayer releases the handle completely, then resumes lowering normally.

Resuming the descent:

Inconvenient Triggering of the Anti-Panic Handle

In certain cases, the anti-panic mechanism can trigger inconveniently (if there is rope drag, with a lightweight climber, on reaching the ground...).

To unblock the rope and complete the lower, you can pull the handle completely back. This overriding of the anti-panic function is for exceptional use only.

Particular Case:

Warning: In certain configurations (lightweight climber and/or belayer, rope drag, small diameter rope, new rope...), the triggering of the anti-panic handle may be too subtle for the belayer to notice. Even with the anti-panic handle, you must always hold the brake side of the rope to stop the descent.

Remember: Novice belayers are advised to avoid using a rope that is too thin.

Choosing the Belay Mode

You can use the selection knob to choose the belay mode (top-rope or lead climbing).

Locking the Knob:

• It is possible to lock the belay mode.
• This function is optional; the operation is the same with the selector locked or unlocked.

When to use the top-rope belay mode?

The top-rope belay mode allows:

• Slack to be taken up easier, due to the greater sensitivity and speed of the cam's locking action
  
• More convenient belaying and helps avoid bad habits, such as keeping the rope too tight.
  
  

So this belay mode is preferred in the following situations:

• Supervision of children/beginners learning how to top-rope belay in climbing school.
  
• Occasional rope climbing with the GRIGRI.
  
• Belaying the second in multi-pitch climbing

Top-Rope Belaying With The GriGri Anchored to The Ground

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.

Choice of Carabiner for Attaching a GriGri or Neox to The Harness

Notes: Beware of pear-shaped carabiners, which in this application have a tendency to rotate and often become poorly positioned.

Belaying With The GRIGRI

The belay technique to be used is very similar to the generic belay technique, but has a few specifics. So it requires a little time to adapt to. The technique described here is the only one that Petzl recommends.

The following video illustrates:

• Basic technique and giving slack
  The technique for quickly giving slack.
  
  

It is also important to stress the fact that any blocking of the device or the cam will negate the blocking action on the rope. This is why it is essential to avoid holding the device with your whole hand, to avoid keeping your thumb constantly on the cam, to avoid blocking the cam...

It is difficult to make an exhaustive list of all incorrect techniques. Here are some illustrations:

Note that the use of incorrect belay technique is the primary risk factor in an accident, especially when the belayer is surprised by a fall. If you recognize yourself in any of these illustrations of incorrect technique, adopt the technique presented at the beginning of this paragraph.

Video: Belaying With a GRIGRI

See our video Belaying with a GRIGRI: We present the belay technique recommended by Petzl (for the climb and the lowering). You will also find examples of belaying errors to avoid. Happy viewing.

Dynamic Belaying With The GRIGRI

Some think that dynamic belaying with the GRIGRI is difficult. But it is the belayer, not the belay device, that plays the primary role in dynamic belaying.

Self-Belaying is Not Authorised For GRIGRI, GRIGRI + And Neox

Assisted-blocking belay devices are sometimes misused for self-belayed climbing on a fixed rope, despite the poor ergonomics for this use.

GRIGRI, GRIGRI + and NEOX are designed for belaying and lowering. These devices are not designed for self-belayed climbing; they are not effective for this use, for at least the following two reasons:

• The climber must continuously hold the brake side of the rope
  
  

Slack must be taken up for each move, because these devices do not move freely enough on the rope to enable climbing without creating slack between the device and the anchor.

Notes:

• For self-belayed climbing on a fixed rope, see the solutions presented in the Self-belaying technical tip at Petzl.com.
• For lead self-belaying, there are techniques that require modifying the device to improve rope feed. Petzl does not authorise this use. Reminder: any modification of PPE outside of Petzl facilities is prohibited.
  
  

Hands-Free Position With GRIGRI, GRIGRI + And Neox

When you want to have your hands free for a task, for example, untangling the rope while the climber is at a rest, tie a knot in the brake side of the rope.

A knot tied a few decimeters from the device can replace holding the brake side of the rope, because if the cam accidentally unblocks, the knot will jam against the device and stop the rope from slipping. Any closed, stable knot may be used for this purpose (e.g. overhand, figure eight, butterfly).

With this technique, once the knot is jammed against the device, it can be difficult to resume normal operation if the user cannot release the tension in the rope (e.g. climber suspended in free space). To avoid this problem, a tie-off can be used:

Self-Lowering

Pass an end of the rope through the rappel quick link. Tie-in to this end. Install your GRIGRI on the free end of the rope. Connect the GRIGRI to the harness with a locking carabiner. Lock the carabiner. Take up the slack rope. When ready to descend, do a function test and remove your lanyard from the belay anchor while holding the brake side of the rope.

To descend, pull the handle while holding the brake side of the rope. The handle can assist in braking, but the rate of descent is controlled by the brake hand gripping the brake side of the rope. Always hold the brake side of the rope.

Do not forget to tie a knot in the bottom end of the rope. 

Tensioning a Tyrolean With The GRIGRI or The Neox

Fix one end of the rope to an anchor point. Install the other end of the rope in the GRIGRI or NEOX, making sure to put it into the device in the right direction. Connect the device to a second anchor point with a locking carabiner. Lock the carabiner.

Tension the rope by removing all slack. The tyrolean must be hand-tensioned by one person, using a 3:1 pulley system if necessary, or hand-tensioned by two people.

Once the rope is taut between the two anchors, secure the GRIGRI or NEOX by making a tie-off against the device.

WARNING: A tyrolean creates a very high load on the anchor points.

Make sure the anchor points are sufficiently strong.

Falls are prohibited on tyroleans.

WARNING: Unblocking an over-tensioned or overloaded tyrolean can be difficult. GRIGRI and NEOX are not covered under warranty if you break the handle because your tyrolean is too tight.

Tip for unblocking: make a 3:1 haul system as indicated in the diagram. Pull on the free end of the rope to release the tension in the device and make the handle easier to use.

See it working