http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/us/r...ement-grigri-2

"Concerns all GRIGRI 2's (D14 2O, D14 2G, D14 2B) with the first five digits of the serial number between 10326 and 11136."

"Petzl has discovered that exerting excessive force on the fully extended handle of the GRIGRI 2 can cause internal damage, such that the GRIGRI 2 handle may become stuck in the open position, as pictured in Figure 1 below.

When the handle is stuck in the position shown in Figure 1, the assisted braking function is disabled. A damaged GRIGRI 2 in this configuration will function similarly to a manual belay device (e.g. tube-style device).
When using a damaged GRIGRI 2 with the handle stuck in the open position, failure to control the braking side of the rope will dramatically increase the risk of an uncontrolled descent, possibly resulting in injury or death.

A GRIGRI 2 with a damaged handle must be immediately retired from service.

Please note that failure to control the braking side of the rope is a misuse of the GRIGRI 2 under any circumstance (See the GRIGRI 2 Technical Notice - pdf file, 2.5Mo).

As of June 20, 2011, seven damaged GRIGRI 2 units have been returned to Petzl through our worldwide distribution network. Petzl has no knowledge of any accidents resulting from a damaged GRIGRI 2 handle."


Re: "in this configuration will function similarly to a manual belay device (e.g. tube-style device)."
I don't have enough experience to say for sure, but so far I have found that a tube-style device seems to provide much more control than a fully open GRIGRI2.

In any case, make sure you get your GRIGRI2 replaced ASAP if you have one of the ones included in this recall.

Posted on MCR June 20th. Note that one climbing gym in Edmonton found three from that serial number series in their stock, so they're definitely around here.

What is MCR? I've seen it referenced before. Sounds like a useful place/site/thing?

It's the Mountain Conditions Report mailing list. Guides and other professionals post their observations of conditions.

See: http://informalex.org/

Bas

Thanks. Looks like another great resource.

You can sign up for regular reports posted by the ACMG guides. Especially useful for avalanche reports during the winter. It also seems to be way ahead in terms of quick responses.