I`m Grounded!

Kevin

Kevin

Location
Ontario, Canada
I tried footlocking today and couldn't get off the ground!
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I would stand on the rope and begin to extend my legs but before I could get fully extended the rope would slip through my boots and I could only advance about an inch at a time.
My record today was about four feet off the ground.
Where is the best placement for your upper foot that is locking the rope, back by the ankle of the other leg, on the side of the other foot or on top of the other foot?
The rope locks at frst but slips before I can get any height.

[ May 19, 2002: Message edited by: Kevin ]
 
Don't give up whatever you do. Two years ago I attended my first TCC havingnever footlocked over ten feet and never w/ a prusik. It took a min. 47sec to go 40 ft. I was embarassed and only made it on determination and stubborn pride. I now footlock 40 ft. in the high teens w/a personal best of a low 16. This all said as an encouragement. Keep footlocking! Don't give up. AS for the best placement of your top foot, I lock on the top of my foot close to my ankle. Play around w/it. Find what works best for you and perfect it.
Tied in, Jesse
 
Thanks Jesse,
I came back home and reviewed the video and noticed that Rip was also biting the rope near the ankle of his other foot.
I`ll try that tomorrow and see what happens.
 
Hey Kevin, what type of boots are you wearing? Many people overlook the fact that a logger style boot with a good-sized heal is much harder to deal with. The rope tends to slip a whole lot, especially when you try to stand up. If you're not already, try using a pair of day hikers when you practice, or something with a small heal (if any). This, along with a lot of coordination and practice, will surely get you started towards that 40' goal.
 
Kevin, footlocking is an art.Like Jesse said, it takes determination and being stubborn to make it work, if you really want to learn it.The placement of the rope may very for some people. What I've noticed the most, over the years, is that people dont cross thier top foot over the rope enough to make the proper bite.I myself tend to bite the rope towards the middle to upper part of my foot.The highter you go , the easier and harder it becomes. The weight of the rope will tend to help bite, but the heavier it becomes . The shoe will also make a difference.A low cut heel helps bite more vs. a high heel such as a Wesco boot.Most competitors, will use a hiking style shoe or even a mountain climbing shoe.Low profile and light weight. Better gripping ability.Learn the basics and learn them well and it will all come into play for you.Get with someone who knows how to footlock well, so they can show you what your doing wrong, if you are. It will help you out tremendously.Keep trying, and I hope to hear some new and improved results..

Greg
 
These are the boots I bought for footlocking.
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There`s no heel and the sole is wedge shaped.
I don`t know anyone that climbs rope within a couple hunderd miles of me, I called the tree companies to ask where they got certified and they aren`t!
Most either use a ladder, spurs or bucket.
 
I know your frustration. I had been climbing for about 12 years until I got my head out of my but and decided to learn footlocking. I had been doing the bodythrust for years and it honestly wore me out. Its really hard on the shoulders. Anyway after seeing a Jim Roach ascend into the same tree I just body thrusted 60 feet into if not more I decided I had to learn that. It wasn't easy and it wasn't something I would practice at work but with some ambition, persistance, and passion you'll get it. Hang in there.
 
John body thrusted 70 plus an d it hurt to watch.
Ive been footlocking for some years now and I can tell you its hard at first but hang in there and you'll get it .it will change your life!
 
Thanks for the support.
I`ll keep trying until I succeed.
I`m sure it`s just a matter of time and something will click.
I didn`t get to hang the rope today but I`m looking forward to tomorrow ... and the next day and every day after that I get to test myself.
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Hey Kevin, are you using a Prussik or Klemheist or do you have a pair of ascenders? One thing that I find to help with the learning process is to get a pair of handled ascenders, and create a teather to connect with that is just long enough so that you can still reach your ascenders when hanging in them.

The way this helps is you get to releive your abs and arms from all of the work of holding yourself up while sliding the knot upward. You get to sit and relax with every stride. I'm not saying stand still, but you will definitely feel the difference after using a knot.

I really feel that this will help you if you are new to footlocking. Try this and you will succeed.
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Try to practice your foot positioning hanging from your work system (ie. blake) It much easier to find the best foot position when you are not in a hurry because your arms are getting tired.

Dave

PS. footlocking is really fast but not that much faster than SRT which is easier to master and is easier on the body.
 
Kevin, I'm not quite sure as to which would work best for you? I like the Kong double-handled ascender and the Petzl left and right handed ascenders. I also know climbers who prefer the CMIs. Look into it a little first.

Or- Anyone else have an opinion to share with Kevin here?
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I made it to my first branch on a rope today.
It was about fifteen feet up.
I tried locking the rope behind the other and it seemed to work better although not quite correct.
I don`t have the strength in my arms to support my total body weight and I cheated by resting on the hitch before taking another lock on the rope.
I can see where an ascender would be a real benefit here, at least in my case.
Anyway I reached the branch on three different attempts and I got a feel for how the rope should lock on my boots.
I`ll try this a few more times and try to support my weight a little better with my arms.
I used gloves today and this helped a great deal also.
I have yet to try the srt but I will give that a go soon.
 
Climbed with the Blake and SRT today.
I found the single rope to footlock much easier and the Blake was a pleasure to advance.
I could put weight on the hitch and it didn`t seem to lock up like the Prussik.
I'm definitely progressing but I think my arms are getting longer!
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I have an ascender on the way, thanks for the help.

[ May 24, 2002: Message edited by: Kevin ]
 
Also, in the boot style, the concave curve on the inside edge of the instep can work against ya, it is easier to trap the line if that is flat, not inset as on common footwear. If you are getting slip, you might try to address a technique that traps it positively at that point, if you have regular boots.

i pulled my hip out of joint lifting legs too high while footlocking. i have short legs that barely reach the ground when i stand, so can't get very much lift per footlock cycle, so i was trying to teach myself to neutralize that by developing a technique for longer stride. i was bring my feet almost up to my waist, turned sideways for longer lifts per stroke. The machine of the hip is not made to work at that angle! Try to keep bottoms of feet facing down for best safety!
 
Hey Kevin
One tip I did not see here is to wear loose pants. Or at least not tight blue jeans. Those tight pants really help prevent lifting your legs to get good distance with eack footlock
Frans
 
Good idea, that`s what I`ve been wearing.
I`ll look for something else, thanks, and thanks to all you others for your input.
At least I can get off the ground now and I know I can always fall back on the SRT.
 
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