Descender
The descender is the device you use to control your descent on the rope. Get a Petzl Stop 2019. It is safe, reliable, and what the Caving Crew uses.
What to look for
Get a Petzl Stop 2019. It is a big improvement on the old Petzl Stop Classic. The 2019 has fixed stainless steel bobbins that don't need replacing. It has a longer handle that is easier to use. It works with a wider range of rope diameters. It is very safe and will last a long time.
If you absolutely cannot afford a new 2019, a secondhand Petzl Stop Classic can work. But it needs checking by someone who knows what to look for before you use it. The Classic has user-serviceable aluminium bobbins that wear out. That means you have to be willing to service it. Spare parts can cost more than the Stop itself. The 2019 is almost certainly the safer choice.
What to get first
You need a D-ring on your harness and an oval screw gate carabiner to attach the descender to it.
Buying Guide
- Price (New): £££
- Price (Used): ££
- Buy online? Yes. Abaris, Hitch n Hike, and Starless River all sell the Petzl Stop 2019.
Buying Second Hand
Not our first recommendation. The Petzl Stop 2019 is expensive new but it is safer and does not need the servicing the old models do. If you buy a Classic secondhand, get it checked by someone experienced. Check the bobbins are not worn down. Check the handle moves freely. Check there is no corrosion.
Where you can buy it
Abaris, Hitch n Hike, Starless River, Inglesport, Dicks Climbing.