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Description

Big haul bags and long rappels are no longer a dreaded combination thanks to the Petzl Pirana Descender.

The Petzl Pirana Descender provides excellent rope control and a smooth lower when you're rapping long lines with heavy loads. Rappelling a 150ft single line with a heavy pack is no longer a guaranteed white-knuckle horror show; you won't even notice the weight when you use the Petzl Pirana Descender. Its two breaking spurs allow you to increase or decrease friction on the go and are used to secure the device, so you have both hands free to build the next anchor.

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Petzl Pirana Descender

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Here's what others have to say...

5 5

Justin Abeles

Member since 

Awesome lock off capability, just makes sure you have the right size carabiner due to the anti-slip device.

4 5

Julio Diaz

Member since 

Muy buen equipo el Pirana, no adecuado para personas de bajo peso, yo era usuario unico y exclusivo del 8 con orejas, pero despues de usar el pirana, me quedo con el pirana. Las diferentes posiciones para el control de velocidad son excelentes, asi como sus 2 posiciones de frenado temporal y y de largo tiempo. Deberian de ofrecerlo siempre con el mosqueton William Petzl, ya que no cualquiera le queda.

Excelente dispositivo
5 5

Matthew Niedermiller

Member since 
Groups:

I have been using this device for a couple of years now. I would say that it is the best descending device for Canyoneering. I did just get an ATS and am looking forward to comparing the two. The various friction setting and easy of lock off makes this my go to piece. Make sure that you get a binder that will fit the device. Most of the Petzl locking biners will work, but larger diamater biners will not. This is due to the anti slip/rotating piece where the binder connects too the device.

Neon Canyon

Matthew Niedermiller

Member since 
Groups:
Posted on

I use the Piranha all the time Canyoneering. This is the best descending device with it different friction settings.

5 5

Neil Roberts

Member since 

this is a must for technical canyoneering in my opinion. i have used an BD act, totem, etc. This is just solid, and easily adjustable. got me through heaps canyon, which would have been a pain to have dealt always taking off the device and possibly loosing it in the holes. you don't have to undo it to take off the rope, and it won't fall off either. loved it.

4 5

Joel Scheingross

Member since 

I've been using a pirana to rappel with since I started canyoneering about 2 years ago. I like it more than an ATC (which I occasionally use) because it's so much easier to add friction on rappel (just throw a wrap around the horns) and you can get a lot more friction with the pirana than with an ATC (which comes in handy for big drops).

It's a great product, but I see 2 downsides compared to an ATC. 1, it's a lot heavier, and 2, I find it harder to choke up with, (and maybe 3, you can't belay with it, but I only use it canyoneering, so that's not really an issue).

All that being said, I'm upgrading to the Sterling ATS mainly because it has horns on both sides of the device, so you never need to worry about having the brake line on the correct side to add friction mid rappel (the ATS can also serve as a belay device, which is nice too).

Have loved it, but upgrading to ATS
4 5

guy4682179

Member since 

Very easy and fun to use. Needed something for thick static rope single strand rappelling and this works great. The cons are the same that you get with figure 8's.....kinks rope some, gets hot when rappelling fast, and leaves black residue on gloves and rope.

4 5

Shaun

Member since 
Groups:

The Petzl Pirana really shines adding friction on the fly and SRT on thin ropes. Simply wrap the rope around one of the break horns when you need to increase friction. Works well DRT if you place a biners between both strands of ropes attached to your cows tell. That way you can keep the ropes separated for an easier pull. Only complaint is the aluminum doesn’t hold up well to sandstone.

5 5

Federico Garcia

Member since 

The best descender system ever, it gives you different friction setting´s depending on what you need, very easy, in these moment i´m using it with the Am`D carabiner and it has worked very well, i tried with the william carabiner but it a little hard to put in place.

I know everybody says to use the Attache...

Stephen White

Member since 
Posted on

I know everybody says to use the Attache or William biner for this but does anybody know if the BD Rocklock will fit?

GearGuy1

Member since 
Best Answer Responded on

yup

Stephen White

Member since 
Responded on

Thanks bud!

blue john canyon

Johanna VonKuster

Member since 
Posted on

rapping through blue john canyon

ran4443337

Member since 
Responded on

what the hell is going on with the white sling shown in the photo? It goes appears to uselessly wrap around the black sling, connects to an unlocked locker, and what's with the black tape? Is this a joke?

Peter hurtgen

Member since 
Responded on

the "black tape" is a label/tag on a mammut sling. just sayin

Can Man

Member since 
Responded on

It looks like the white sling is there to be used as a personal anchor while setting up for the rappel.

jason

Member since 
Responded on

yep, thats right can man. it was definitely there for a personal anchor while setting up the rappel. props to whoever rigged that up, its a great, and safe system. last person can reach up and take the sling with them.

5 5

Johanna VonKuster

Member since 

i just got back from a week in utah and i was very happy with the pirana. rappelling with a pack was no problem. this is a great descender with lots of options for a variety of friction for braking. it's super easy to use by providing the basic shape of a figure 8, but with added features to increase versatility. the little instruction booklet that comes with it has great diagrams on how to properly use it. the petzl attache locking biner is a very snug and perfect fit for this device.

5 5

Brandon Smith

Member since 

This is my #1 descender. Locking off is easy. Increasing friction is easy. Disconnect is easy. Get it. You won't be sorry.

5 5

Chris

Member since 

This is an awesome rappel device. It works great when you are rapping a 150ft caring a pack. It find that a normal ATC can be a little scary while caring a load. I always keep one with me on long technical climbs. You can also use it to belay someone if you choose. This is a must have for every climber.

5 5

Josh

Member since 

I have sworn off figure 8's for life! The first time I used the pirana I was hooked. Super versatile... love the braking options.

What is the largest diameter of rope that...

Christopher Fox

Member since 
Posted on

What is the largest diameter of rope that I could use with the petzl pirana descender?

guy4682179

Member since 
Responded on

Specs are to the right. 13 mm

how do you use this thing?

Andrew Wilkinson

Member since 
Posted on

how do you use this thing?

ultraapple2051982

Member since 
Best Answer Responded on

Check Petzl's website, they have pictures.This device is more or less an advanced figure 8 rappel device. It is designed so you can load your rope on it without removing it from your belay loop or carabiner. It does take some practice to use it but once you figure out how to load it its pretty simple. A warning with small diameter ropes: USE the high friction mode! When using a small diameter rope on a long rappel (Say 200-300ft) you will start out VERY slow but gain speed very fast its crucial you have heavy leather rappel gloves and use the high friction mode.

5 5

clmathers

Member since 

I love this thing. Its a fairly crazy looking device so it gets some stares from folks who don't know about it. The multiple friction points are a great feature though they don't really matter much for a normal rap. If your canyoneering you'll need them to help slow you and a pack down though. It's a bit more difficult to do the cross over to lock it in than on my Super 8 but not noticeably. It's easy to set up wrong sometimes though. What I mean is that if you use the friction points, you use the lower point first and it's easy to use the top first which gives you less friction. The if you get the William biner with it, know that the fit is very tight. It's hard to get he device on and off the biner so I recommend an 11mm biner or a round biner instead. The William, while an excellent keyed screw gate (also very huge), has an oval cross section. I would just take the device to your local shop to find one that fits best. I say that, because you want to be able to flip the device to the side and down to get it out of your way if your canyoneering. An oval shape just doesn't let you do this. I use a steel biner that's round and it works like a charm. As a belay device it's fairly straight forward. Set it up just like you would to rap and pull down to lock it off. You can use the bottom friction points to add friction to the belay which is nice. I like it a bit more frictiony when I lead belay. The friction is nice for when you are lowering someone after they finish a sport climb too. A bit safer feeling than lowering on an tube style device. It will freak out your friends though. Getting belayed on such a funny looking device is weird. Setting up a releasable or contingency anchor to rap off of will require some thought before you head out to the canyons though. It will be better for your ropes to use a Piranha for a contingency anchor than a munter while giving great fiction in case you need to lower someone. As with all new gear practice practice practice. All that being said. I love this thing. I had seen this in the Petzl catalog and wondered about it and finally got to play with a friend's. I was hooked. I had one a week later. Its the best thing thats happened to the 8 since rescue ears. The set up doesn't allow for a larks head to form, gives lots of options for extra friction and can be used to belay as a great bonus.

5 5

Anonymous

Member since 

love it!! Just make sure you have a carabin that can fit the Pirana's hole

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