Is the footlocking event obsolete?

treewill

treewill

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It seems to me that with every passing year footlocking is becoming more and more a skill that is confined to climbing comps, as younger arborists (at least in this area) are using SRT systems instead. I understand that those who want to do well at competitions need to practice certain specific skills, but shouldn't the events also closely resemble our actual work practices?

Personally, I've been competing for the last 4 years, and when I get to the footlock event I realize that the last time I footlocked was at the previous years comp. I'm a working climber, this seems silly.

Aside from aerial rescue, which for obvious reasons we should all know how to do even if we never actually perform one, it seems to me backwards that the TCC should judge you on skills which a growing share of arborists don't use.

What do you guys think? Is the footlocking event obsolete? Do you see it becoming that way in the near future? How will we tell?
 
It probably depends on your area. In the tropics our trees don't get that tall, so I footlock probably 90 percent of the time. Every once in a while on a real tall tree I'll use SRT.

It is the fastest, smoothest, and simplest way to ascend a tree, IMO.

jp
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I think TCC's are intentionally a little bit behind the curve in general. Alot of the techniques being employed really need solid field testing before they are more widely accepted throughout our industry. I think the Z committee et. al. should have a look at a particular technique or employment of gear before it becomes part of a comp, and I think the ITCC Committee agrees with that sentiment, but maybe that's a whole other discussion.

-Tom
 
Yep, footlocking isn't even close to dead. It's the fastest way into a tree and requires minimal gear. Nothing obsolete about that.

The footlocking event is a great test of strength and endurance plus, it's just a tree guy type thing to do.

I read somewhere that TCCs were comparable to rodeos in terms of competition vs. work... kinda the same with timbersport. Competitors have to train for the event itself (rather than just working) in order to do well.

Don't talk about eliminating the footlock... I love the footlock.

...and thank god I don't have to go 49.5' on just a knot without resting at work everyday.
 
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It probably depends on your area. In the tropics our trees don't get that tall, so I footlock probably 90 percent of the time. Every once in a while on a real tall tree I'll use SRT.

It is the fastest, smoothest, and simplest way to ascend a tree, IMO.

jp
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You know, it's funny that you should bring this up because I work part of the year in Hong Kong (been here since June) climbing Ficus, Cinnamonium and other shorter trees, still using SRT only.

Tom I agree with what you said completely, and I agree that it's right they shouldn't change with every passing fad. But when most working climbers have moved on from the 'work skills' that are represented in our events, that's how you know it's not a fad and it's time for the TCCs to reflect these changing practices.

Blinky, rodeos and timbersports comps are dominated by people that don't actually work as cowboys or loggers. What's great about TCCs is that they ARE dominated by actual working arborists. IMO the ITCC should change with the times so that it stays that way.
 
the Z committee doesn't address climbing techniques really. They would have no say in the ITCC

SRT is not a passing fad. Tree climbing is late in getting to the game. Every day more and more climbers learn and adopt some part of srt into treework. In time, sooner rather than later, it will be 'normal'.

I've worked out one scenario that could be used as an SRT event. there is no reason that a chapter can't make SRT access a demo event.

Here's the setup:

-throwline is installed in the tree through some safe, circuitous route with the access end isolated and free hanging
-climber starts outside the circle with no gear on, everything is at hand
-time starts when the climber enters the ring
-usual prep/inspection, etc
-set rope
-set anchor
-put on climbing system and bounce test to head judges satisfaction
-ascend to bell
-time stops at bell ringing-scoring continues
-changeover to descent
-descend
-detach
-reinstall throwline and detach climbing line

I would love to see this developed and nurtured as a chapter event. If anyone decides to ramrod this, let m'e
know.
 
thats silly. footlocking is like fundamentals. of course it should be in the comps. I srt everyday too but footlocking is to climbing what dribbling is to basketball. its the basics. gotta be there, plus its awesome to do and watch. its a good thing if people learn to footlock just for comps because they should know how to do it well regardless. one thing that should be changed is that dry crotching the tree should not be allowed at any point during the competition.
 
I think we are looking at two separate issues:

Should footlocking be removed? No. It is arguably the most exciting event (and the most viewer accessable). It is also features the climbers as athletes which is a big positive. It is the 100m dash of tree climbing. Look at the tv ratings for Usain Bolt in Beijing.

Should SRT be incorporated as an event? I think the answer has to be yes. I'll leave the when and how to the experts, but Tom's idea sounds straight forward enough. Keeping it simple for the competitors, judges, and viewers is the key.
 
Tom, there was a thread recently where this was done at a comp, and I remember the poster saying that it was close, but the FL times were just a tad better. Anyone recall that thread?
 
Tom----I recall that now too.

Because of the nature of competition, once srt has a spot on the stage it will be refined. More importantly, the energy savings and ease will go back to work on Monday.

Remember, disc brakes and seat belts went from airplanes to race cars to production cars.
 
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Why not just an access/ascent event? If the climber wants to FL or ropewalk.

...run whatcha brung! Go for pink slips in the head to head!

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YES! I'm with this 100%

They tried an SRT option for the FL event at the '09 Puget Sound Regional and it went well. There was some grumbling from folks about not knowing ahead of time that that would be an option, but no one that I heard thought it was a bad idea.

treebing: footlocking is fundamentals? Huh? Why haven't I used this fundamental skill in years? C'mon we don't make guys do the work climb with a tautline hitch.

TreeStuff: Your point that the FL is fun for spectators is a good one, but I bet that we could incorporate SRT into an 'Ascent' event which would still be a crowd pleaser.
 
i think it depends on where you work 60' and under i footlock over 60' and the marbars come out. it is faster to footlock sixty feet with set up included than any other way to enter the tree. fling might not be easy or ergonomically correct but it is the fastest way to enter the tree hands down no way srting is going to turn 14.02 seconds to 60'. that isn't happening. plus set up time included the guy footlocking will win every time hands down.
 
An event very close to the one that Tom described was actually demoed at the ETCC this year and will most likely be added as a demo event at the 2011 ITCC in Australia.
 
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i think it depends on where you work 60' and under i footlock over 60' and the marbars come out. it is faster to footlock sixty feet with set up included than any other way to enter the tree. fling might not be easy or ergonomically correct but it is the fastest way to enter the tree hands down no way srting is going to turn 14.02 seconds to 60'. that isn't happening. plus set up time included the guy footlocking will win every time hands down.

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Excuse me Jeff, but I beg to differ. I am personally a fairly quick footlocker(~20 sec./50ft), but I have refined my frogwalker ascent to the point where I can SRT to ANY height usually faster than FLing including setup. I can also beat most of my contemporaries here in MN with my SRT setup "hands down".

Sure FL only uses one piece of equipment, but my Frogwalk kit is all in one piece on the back of my saddle too. FLing requires isolating your throwline (more time), and leaves you under the selected crotch instead of right next to it.

Also, as I have incorporated safety features into my SRT ascent system - like lowerability, screamer pack for shock absorbsion, TWO points of rope attachment - I find traditional doubled rope FLing to be not only ergonomically incorrect but also quite dangerous. Example: a climber with some footlock experience decides to try a new kind of hitch - the Klemheist - he ties and dresses properly but somehow at about thirty feet when he takes a break the hitch doesn't grab - with only his bare hands gripping the rope he ends up burning both badly and spraining an ankle - lucky.(true story)
 
Lets use big shots for the throwline event and a lift truck for speed climb. Seriously? I can see adding a single line event to display new climbing techniques, and share the knowledge, but keep the footlock alive.
 
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