Footlocking Question

[TJinSC]

Hi everyone. New to climbing, just got my first rope back in February. After seeing my first tree climbing comp I decided I want to learn footlocking. However my first attempt was far less than successful. I could grab the rope with feet and stand, but my weight on the hitch when sitting locked the knot so hard as I tried to advance my feet fell from their hold.

Equipment: 1/2" arborplex climbing rope, 3/8 tenex cord, icetail(5/16?); 7,8, and 9 mm accessory cord. Given this and the weight of climber being around 250 lbs any suggestions on cord/knot combination?

Thanks in advance for any input.


TJ

 

[Crazy_Jimmy]

You dont wannna put any weight on your hitch after you test its gonna work.Well except if you fall or get tired and need a rest.Go on you tube and check out some of those folks footlocking.

 

[TJinSC]

So I need to hold my weight with my hands or feet all the way up?

 

[Jesse]

Yea, it is best to only use the hitch as a safety backup. When you need to rest try getting a real good lock with your feet and holding it to rest. Try not to muscle up the rope with your arms, hang with your arms, lift your legs, get a good lock, and push yourself up the rope. Hanging with your arms straight is much easier, keeping this in mind should help.

 

[TJinSC]

Thanks all, guess I was missing that part watching the climbers go up the rope. I think its gonna take me a lot more practice to get up the rope this way, but I think it will be cool to say I can do it.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Years ago I learned how to learn how to footlock from a friends 12 year old daughter. She sat on the floor of her bedroom with the rope draped over her shoulder and the rest over her shoulder. She spent time figuring out how to make the foot lock grab and pull the rope from her shoulder. To add friction she would grab onto the rope. Another mode is to wrap the rope around your hands while you stand on the ground. Think of the rope wrap as the way that your feet will wrap and grab. Once your brain grasps the lock with your hands your feet will get it too!

 

[countryboypa31]

I would start by setting up your normal climbing system and learn the motion by footlocking the tail of your climbing line. Then move on to a static line.

 

[Blinky]

[ QUOTE ]
I would start by setting up your normal climbing system and learn the motion by footlocking the tail of your climbing line. Then move on to a static line.

[/ QUOTE ]

+1

 

[TJinSC]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I would start by setting up your normal climbing system and learn the motion by footlocking the tail of your climbing line. Then move on to a static line.

[/ QUOTE ]

+1

[/ QUOTE ]

I like that idea. Think I will try that this afternoon if the rain holds off. Right now I dont think I have the strengh and stamina to keep my weight off the knot for too long on a static line.

 

[lumberjackson]

I can footlock, but I cant fully extend my legs in 1 motion without my arms. maybe its just my weak chicken legs... I've been practicing everyday for about a month now, and still cant get it...

 

[KingArbor]

remember to really sit back into the saddle (arms straight) and raise your legs high (almost parallel to your chest) while making your lock every time. Id do some situps or leg raises before hand to get your abs warmed up, and prevent a very painful cramping.. If you rest on your knot, be prepared to bend and break the hitch loose quickly on your next advance. Both prusik, and a Blakes are pretty easy to "thumb" lose if your quick enough. A blakes hitch grabs too firmly for me though.

 

[TJinSC]

Thanks everyone for your input. Both here and advice to other fl questions. tonight i did it! only about 10 feet off the ground but i did that a few times. I think the biggest help to me was wearing tennie shoes and knowing not to rest on the knot. Next is just practice, practice, practice.

ps. wearing shorts probably was not the best idea, little bit of rope burn down the ankle.

 

[Blinky]

Way to go, it gets easier from here on. Focus on doing it right rather than getting high on the rope... I mean... you can get high on rope but not the footlocking kind... umm, never mind.