UKH

Is a Petzl Shunt still the most practical solution to protecting solo climbing a fixed rope?

I’ve got a couple of shunts but they must be ancient by now so was thinking of replacing them with a new device for added confidence.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

I think there are a tonne of posts with the same question (answered), including one recently.  As far as I am aware, the Petzl Traxion is the modern tool for the job (aside from the usual knot tricks).  Though there is some new gadget from Beal that looks pretty similar.

Thanks. I’ll have a look at the Traxion.

Couple of recent posts on the topic shich should provide the info you require.

https://www.ukhillwalking.com/forums/gear/rope_solo__self_belay-718618

https://www.ukhillwalking.com/forums/rock_talk/solo_top_rope-726158

Cheers.

Those threads lead my to an Andy Kirkpatrick blog post which in turn pointed my towards a DMM Buddy. I’ve ordered the Buddy rather than the Traction and we’ll see how I get on with that. Going to experiment with backing up the Buddy with a shut on a separate line. 

Dave MacLeod uses a shunt all the time, it must be half decent.

Wasn't aware of the Buddy, but looks much kinder on the ropes.  And DMM make the best climbing in my view

I'd not heard of the buddy before but the specs are pretty restrictive on rope diameter. Hope you've got a fat rope in mind.

Seems to geared towards use on semi static rope which is mostly 10.5 these days.

I bought a new semi static earlier in the year so I should be good to go.