Foot Lockin versus Rope Walkin

[RopeShield]

I will not train anyone to footlock as a primary ascent method.
The biomechanics of it is completely wrong and the chronic effects should be made aware.

Footlock when you have to but for the routine a proper system that lines up bones and joints and utilizes the largest muscles will ensure a long climbing life.

Should be a new thread. I don't see how the science can be debated but lets have open ears.

I would love to have competed in climb comps but a few things stopped me and life is it too short 1. Footlocking 2. throwing an ugly bag

3. keeping the fridge full Ha

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Rope walk...it keeps me young. Footlocking would have worn me out years ago.

 

[bonner1040]

Fottolocking is way faster, cheaper, less gear intensive, and safer than ropewalking.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Safer??? Please explain how that can be.

 

[bonner1040]

Less chance for user error, easier to teach, easier to inspect.

KISS

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Not a very convincing list...to me anyway.

I've tried to teach FL to a lot of people. Some get it...most don't without a lot of dedication and struggles. Setting them up with some sort of rope walker...and they're in the tree having a good time.

 

[oceans]

Foot-locking requires practice of certain technique to get it smooth. If ergonomics is the issue, then one could argue that a climber could easily get worn out from an improperly adjusted rope walker system. Form comes first.

Now, I'm not talking about a 180', open-air foot-lock ascent up a Giant Sequoia... I'm referring to a few 60'-80' ascents a day. If we all had good strength, flexibility, and technique, we'd likely see more people using this method (and perhaps without injury).

For longer ascents, use the gear, by all means.

Whichever way you choose to ascend, make sure your gear is adjusted properly, and do what is right for your body type. Some people need physical (occupational) therapy for typing poorly, never mind climbing rope!

 

[treebing]

If there is any technique to teach a beginning climber it is footlocking. Rope walking is nice but it is limited. Pantin climbing is not exactly ergonomic either. Setting up rope walker systems isn't worth the effort until maybe 35 feet. I hardly ever go to the top of the tree right away. I start working as soon as I can. First limb is rarely higher than 35 feet. It's all incremental climbing. I love my pantin but footlocking first.

 

[cthompson22]

Foot lock open air ascents most of the time now on an ascentree. I rope walk conifers with the line being so close to the trunk.

 

[simplyarbor]

I usually rope walk, because footlocking doesn't work well with pines. That being said, I love the purist aspect of footlocking. Less gear, simple set-up. Both use leg power to go...

 

[CLIMBERJunkieee]

I myself have only used the F.L. method. I have just started practicing though, and it is very physical. but i am a young guy, so all is well for now... Rope walking seems very complex and im a simple guy...

 

[islandarb]

I like the simplicity of footlocking and it's good for me, as I say I don't climb very tall trees so this method suits me and second I am not a production climber.. I climb a few times a week....if I am close to the trunk with my wrench I will use a pantin which I do like to use sometimes....

 

[countryboypa31]

I footlock till about 60' rw after that. I'm a lot like Kevin in that I work on my way up. So it's rare that I'm ascending past 35-40'

 

[Tom Dunlap]

When a climber is young FL seems to make sense. Young bodies tolerate abuse...when they're young. That abuse though will catch up as years go by. At some time the abuse will 'break the paperclip'. Then what?

There's a huge difference between proper ergo FL and what most people use to get into trees. Most of the time a comp style FL is done. Long reaches above the head and knees out like a frog to get big bites of rope. Both of these body positions are terrible for every joint in our bodies.

If FL is used a better body position keeps the lowest hand pushing up the hitch at about eye-brow level. When the hands grip higher than that the wrists, elbows and shoulders get cranked around and flexed in a bad way. Doing this for years will catch up to you.

Same thing for legs. If the knees are kept straight ahead like a normal walking or ladder climbing position it's less stressful to joints. Taking smaller bites helps too.

The concern for simplicity is a bit over-blown, but not to be dismissed. We put our lives at risk in much more complicated ways every minute of the day. Look at how risky driving is to every worker. Transportation is usually the highest cause of employee deaths. Not because the vehicle breaks but the 'driving system' is complicated and dangerous.

To me, stopping FL when I was in my early to mid 30's started to extend my healthy climbing career. Right now I'm enjoying climbing as much, or more, than I ever have.

If I have short ascents, from the ground or in the tree, I'll use the Pantin, which is always on my foot, and cross-foot my left toe onto my right for short ascents. When I do that though my knees are straight ahead and I make short moves up the rope.

 

[islandarb]

I am not a comp climber by any means and never will be...therefore when my friend showed me that I needed to stretch and extend my hands way above my head I silently decided that I shall stick with my shorter stretches which felt more natural and less stressful, I am not footlocking for time but mearly to enter the tree and start my work, I am never under the gun as I call my own shots...I started climbing at 40 and my body is far from beat up and I will use my pantin when I feel to do so...I understand what Tom is saying....oh yeah and from running all my life I know that overstretching on your stride will cause you injury it's better to keep your natural stride and increase your cadence ( stride turnover ).....Just saying this could apply to footlocking too...

 

[oceans]

There are so many variables that come into play with this question that I hesitate to go further. Use the gear and the techniques that are appropriate for the situation.

We use different saws for different cuts...and different methods of climbing for different trees. Do what works for you in your situation.

I use a variety of methods, which I feel makes each climb somewhat of an artistic expression.

 

[islandarb]

X2, very true Eric....., why just use one method all the time seems boring to me, I don't even like using the same rope everyday....got so many....variety is surely the spice of life no???

 

[oceans]

Yessir, Paul. A little salt here, and a little pepper there...

I'm going into the kitchen to cook up a couple eggs!

 

[wyoclimber]

I definitely like to have as many tools in my arsenal a possible. Right technique for the right tree. I probably footlock and ropewalk about the same amount. Just depends on the tree.

 

[RopeShield]

I like the fact when I am rope walkin that I can still make use of one or both feet at any time to climb,step or hook a limb while maintaining progress.
Whereas if you give up your footlock you give up your hold.

when you step off a foot lock you step off the ladder and
with Rope walk you are always on the ladder/rope.

That is another one of the big differences for me.