2012 will be here before we know it and all the major climbing gear manufacturers are already priming the market for the raft of new products due for launch in the new year (as discussed yesterday Petzl have announced the release of the Micro Traxion, a more compact version of the Mini Traxion, made famous in tree climbing circles by the late Scotty Sharpe with his Rope Rocket SRT ascent system. The 'traxion' in the moniker refers to the progress capturing ability of the pulley.
Like its predecessor, the Micro Traxion has a toothed cam which can be locked in the open position by depressing the upper button so that the pulley behaves… like a pulley - check out the video above to see how it works. The Micro Traxion has an aluminium sheave mounted on sealed bearings so friction should be minimal.
The Petzl release is scheduled for the beginning of 2012 but experience tells us you should plan for a little later in the year before the Micro Traxion arrives on NZ shores.
Rope Rocket MkII underway!