![]() ![]() There are no moving parts or levers to operate, making it a user-friendly intro to the world of assisted braking belay devices. It was intuitive: The ATC Pilot works in much the same way that a standard tube-style belay device does, with the added benefit of assisted braking. No matter the belay device, a good belayer is an attentive belayer, so always pay attention to your climber, always use good belay technique and ALWAYS keep your brake hand on the rope.)Īfter testing the Black Diamond ATC Pilot at the gym, here’s what I came away with: (Let me be perfectly clear about this: Assisted braking does not mean you’re off the hook as a belayer. As a climber, it adds a level of reassurance that a fall will be securely held. As the belayer, assisted braking means less straining to hold a climber who is working out the moves to a tricky climb. The ATC Pilot does this by simply pinching the rope between your belay ‘biner and the device when the rope is weighted, whereas some other devices, like the Petzl GRIGRI, use camming mechanisms to grab the rope. (Since it can’t accept a second strand of rope, it is not possible to do a standard double-rope rappel, which means it’s not a great choice for multipitch climbing.) The ATC Pilot weighs only 86g (making it one of the lightest assisted braking devices available) and it accepts ropes from 8.7–10.5mm in diameter, which accommodates most single ropes.Īs with other assisted braking belay devices, the ATC Pilot is intended to make catching and holding falls easier than with a standard tube-style device. That’s why when you look at the device, you’ll notice there’s room for only one strand of rope rather than two like a standard tube-style device. A couple friends came along and we took turns belaying, leading and falling.īlack Diamond built the ATC Pilot as a lightweight option for single-pitch projects at the gym and outdoors. When I was asked to test it out, I was happy to have an excuse to head to a local Seattle climbing gym for a few hours. ![]() This is where assisted braking belay devices shine they can make belaying less tiring while also helping you catch falls and lower a climber in a controlled manner.īlack Diamond recently joined the ranks of companies offering an assisted braking belay device with the release of the ATC Pilot Assisted Braking Belay Device. ![]() Catching repeated falls and holding a hanging climber while they rest up to give a tough move another go can leave your hands and forearms completely worn out. If you’ve ever belayed a climber who is working a route, you know just how strenuous belaying can be. A lightweight assisted braking belay device for single-pitch climbs at the gym and outdoors. ![]()
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