What’s New in the ASTRO, AVAO, VOLT, and SEQUOIA PLUS?
Petzl has updated several of its most widely used professional work harnesses, including the ASTRO, AVAO, VOLT, and SEQUOIA PLUS.
Get your harnesses ready and your friction hitches dialed in—the Petzl RopeTrip: The Americas Edition is officially returning to the United States! From March 18–20, 2026, the global rope access community will converge on the Petzl Technical Institute (PTI) in Salt Lake City, Utah for three days of competition, camaraderie, and technical mastery.
At our shop, we live and breathe the vertical world, so we couldn’t be more excited to see this premier event return to North America for the first time in six years. Whether you’re a veteran technician or just starting your journey on the lines, this is the event of the year.
Since its start in 2012, the RopeTrip has evolved into the ultimate meeting of the minds for rope access professionals. It’s not just a competition; it’s a celebration of the skills that keep us safe while working at height.
The Competition: Thirty teams of three (20 from North America and 10 from Central/South America) will face off in challenges that mimic real-world scenarios. Think complex hauling, 3D triangulation, and “delicate object” transport—all timed and judged for safety and precision.
The Symposium: Beyond the speed and skill, the event features a technical symposium where the industry’s best share insights on the latest gear, safety standards, and rescue techniques.
The Networking: This is where the “community” part happens. It’s a rare chance to swap stories and tips with technicians from across the globe.
Making the trip even more worthwhile, the SPRAT Annual Conference will be held in Salt Lake City immediately preceding the RopeTrip (March 16–18). It’s a full week of deep dives into the standards and certifications that define our trade.
| Event | Date | Location |
| SPRAT Conference | March 16–18 | Hilton Salt Lake City Center |
| Petzl RopeTrip | March 18–20 | Petzl Technical Institute |
| Registration Deadline | Feb 2, 2026 | petzlropetrip.com |
Stay safe out there, and we’ll see you on the ropes!
Petzl has updated several of its most widely used professional work harnesses, including the ASTRO, AVAO, VOLT, and SEQUOIA PLUS.
On June 16, CMC issued a Product Safety & Inspection Notice for CMC CSR2 Pulleys. The Affected Units include:
CAPTO Safety & Inspection Notice CMC has found certain instances where the thread locker that secures the CAPTO cam set
There are few places on Earth where the scale of human engineering and the vastness of the universe collide as