Climbing competition tips and info.

[OutOnaLimb]

We have a climbing comp coming up here in Denver and this will be my first time competing. I was just wanting to ask some of you vets out there if there are any fifty tricks or tips that would help me out. I have downloaded the rules and have read them pretty extensivly, but as always there are some grey areas. First of all I was wondering on what kind of saddle would be the best to compete in, I am used to climbing in a Weaver wideback floating D saddle but that seems like it may be a little heavy and awkward for competition where every second counts. Also, in the secured footlock event, is there any type of rope or prussik combo that is better? I have heard that some climers put biners in their boot laces to keep from losing the ropes. The rules do not mention whether or not this is legal. Any help you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Kenn:Monkey:

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Very few people win thier first competition these days, so don't take it too seriously. Remember to have fun and talk with your fellow competitors.

The score weighting favors the work climb, so concentrate on that. If the limbwalk looks like you will hit the buzzer going slow, then take the hit and go fast. Be inventive, it could give you "judges points".

On every climb, ensure you have your gear secure. The most common DQ is dropping gear.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

Thanks, I am not so arrogant as to think that I may win on my first time out, but I do want to be competitive, and have all my ducks in a row when I enter. That is just my nature. There is another Comp. in Albuquerque NM a few weeks prior to my home town Comp. in Denver and I plan on competeing in that as sort of a trial run. However I would like to get as much information from the vets and incorporate that into my daily work and climbing techniques. I was Army Special Operations for 8 years and one of the things that we stressed was, "train as you fight" or in this case, "train as you compete" This will give me about 4 months to try new techniques and become profiecent with what will be best suited for a climbing comp. inviroment. Not only that, but as my Grandad once told me, " the more you know, the less likely you are to starve." Not only that but, if I need to get better gear, or different gear than what I am using now that will give me about 4 months to get familiar with it.

I had read on here that using a Schwabisch or a Distel hitch is preffered over a split tail and a Blakes hitch in the work climb because you can "burn into the target" with out melting your ropes. The concept seems solid to me, but I use a micro pulley to mind my friction hitch when I am walking out on larger lateral leaders. As long as we dont get any more snow here I plan on giving that a test run tomorrow. Thanks again for the info.

Kenn:Monkey:

 

[Curtis James]

I've never been either, give me some stories. What else goes on? what are the prizes? Who is there and who should go?

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by Curtis James
I've never been either, give me some stories. What else goes on? what are the prizes? Who is there and who should go?

The last time that I went they had a throwball competition, A footlock competition, a bodythrust competition, and the workclimb. The throwball comp was based on the best 3 out of 5 throws ( I think ). The others are all timed competitions. The workclimb usually has 4 or 5 judges. This is the way that I remember it.

I have never competed. But from a spectators view one big key is practice. If you miss one footlock then you are done in that competition. The level of competeion is very high.

 

[TreeJunkie]

Rich i think you forgot the aerial rescue. This and the work climb comprise most of the available points....90 for work climb 50 or 60 aerial rescue, 20 throw bag, 20 footlock, and 20 for belayed speed climb....
When is the comp in denver, i'm from Kc, ks, and am looking for a comp to go to b/c i can't go to mine this summer .........I'm gonna try to get into the one in nashville next month...

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by TreeJunkie
Rich i think you forgot the aerial rescue. This and the work climb comprise most of the available points....90 for work climb 50 or 60 aerial rescue, 20 throw bag, 20 footlock, and 20 for belayed speed climb....
When is the comp in denver, i'm from Kc, ks, and am looking for a comp to go to b/c i can't go to mine this summer .........I'm gonna try to get into the one in nashville next month...

Thanks TJ. That is why I said: this is the way that I remember it.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

To be honest with ya, I am not sure when the comp is scheduled.I have done a lot of searches on the net and the Comp in Albuquerque is the only one that is set in stone. I am a Rocky Mtn. ISA member and thus far every one that I talked to is cluelles as to what is going on.If there are any Rocky Mountian Chapter ISA members out there that know what is going on please drop me a line and fill me in. All the info I have gotten from ISA is about pruning, and tree transplant seminars coming up in the Denver area in the next month or so.

Kenn

 

[TreeJunkie]

sorry rich, didn't mean to sound harsh...

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by TreeJunkie
sorry rich, didn't mean to sound harsh...

No problem TJ, I didn't take it that way. Thanx for the consideration!

 

[Ax-man]

I didn't think you could compete outside your own chapter. If you win the masters then you have to represent that chapter at the ISA finals. Some thing doesn't seem quite right if your going to represent a chapter your not a member of.

I don't think this has happened but if guys are competing outside their own chapter, it could. What would the ruling be in a case like this???

Larry

 

[TREETX]

I have lots of suggestions after competing last year.

Everyone told me to watch other people and just try your best.

I was #1 so there went the "watch others" theory. It was great fun.

Don't try something new at the competition. This is not the time to try out a new hitch . What wuz I thinking? All the other kids were using a vt so I did too. The length was too short and wouldn't pay out any slack. Just gripped. I had to fight through w/horribly unfluid movement.

There are hitches far better than the Blake's. The vt is far superior. It takes time and tuning.

Practice footlocking at 50 or 60ft. That will make 40ft seem like a breeze.

Everyone has good days and bad days so don't take it too seriously. The most important thing is to have fun, learn new techniques and network.

On throwline, sometimes it is better to land the easy target and set a rope instead of wasting time on harder targets.

Rocky and others who don't compete because the aren't posessed by the footlock demond. Fear not, it is only 20 pts. Just pass on that event. You can still smoke the work climb!!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Another thing about training for the FL.

Practice grbbing the lock over and over, long fluid motions. Don't stop for the bell till you know you can hit it.

Fractions of a second can separate the top climbers.

there are lots of handsaws for 3 rd in and event. Winning the comp can mean several hundred to a thousand in gear, including a chainsaw and the like. Depends on how good your chapter is on getting sponsors.

As for non chapter competitors, many will allow you to enter as a "guest", meaning you cannot get prizes, or go to the ITCC. Here in the WAA, some from IL and MN were joining trying to win in multiple chapters. I think they say now you have to live or work in the chapter area to be able to place in nay event.


there are still guys who travel to other events just for the fun and fellowship.

 

[xtremetrees]

Outonalimb.
Thanks for those years you gave us for our freedom SF right on bro.!

How about the limb toss isnt it part of the comps. Or is that part of the work climb.?

I hear the level of competition is incrediable. Dont be surprised operator if you dont win. I missed last years comp in TN and I'll miss this years cause of Op Noble Eagle.
Good luck

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Yes the limb toss is in the work climb, you throw a stake at a target after yelling "all clear".

Remember to flip in before trying to ring in at any station. Make that part of your practice. While working have a work partner gig you everytime you work on one point of contact.

Stop, clip into 2 d rings, then go to work. If you forget, your bud makes a loud noise like an airhorn or whatnot.

Matt Mayo is outside of the Boulder area and should be able to help you with event dates.

for that matter, he's a nice guy and may help you with VT and other things.


OH and another good tip, bring a couple cords if you use a tress hitch. You're bound to burn one out an new will never be giged.

 

[TreeJunkie]

i was allowed to join the arizona comp last month, but i had to forfeit the opp to represent the chapter, however i would have still been able to receive prizes. I'm hoping tennessee will do the same.. I'd love to go compete, but i don't think it's fair to have to pay a 75 buck entry fee and not be allowed to win anything...Not to mention travel expenses,,,,,,Going to Az for me cost me around 650 bucks, not including lost wages..I don't think it would be as much fun w/ out the prizes....I'd like to compete somewhere else this year, az was my first ever.....I'm not going to be able to make it to the midwest chapter because of scheduling conflict...

 

[OutOnaLimb]

Hey, thanks for the good intell guys. As with everything it seems that the little things and attention to detail is what will make or brake some one. Whats the scoop on the aerial rescue? Is it pretty much get to the dummy, clip him to your D rings and then get down as quickly as possible? I have never done aerial rescue with a dummy before. In the past it has always been a fellow climber and when you have a live body they kinda make it a little easier for you by now completely acting like a limp noodle so to speak. Oh by the way Xtremetree I wasnt SF, those guys are girl scouts. I was an Airborne Ranger!!!!!!!! (When it absolutely, possitivly has to be destroyed over night. 75th Rgr Rgt)

 

[okietreedude1]

out,

best of luck competing in Co. I have competed 4 times in the last 5 yrs and learned a LOT. Like others ahead of me have said, go to have fun and if you win something, that makes it even better.

my first yr, I took second in Areial rescue, and then 3rd the next yr. Stunk it up after that.

You mentioned your belt being too heavy, if your used to it, go w/ it. If you were climbing on a butterfly or master series and then switch the day before, you would notice a difference. Otherwise, I dont think you would.

As for footlocking, start practicing NOW! FL everyday sometime during the day. I had a guy tip me "Do pull ups w/ a doubled up rope. Pull ups on a bar are good, but it doesnt replicate the FL event as well." Id add to this loading your belt w/ gear to add weight. During the comp, most the guys dump everything they dont need.

Work climb: Be more daring than you ever thought you had. run if your able, swing whereever you can (just make sure its controlled). Time is everything.

Ariel rescue: time is only critical in not being dq'd for going over time and in the event of a tie. Accessing the victim, assessment, handleing the victim,and a smooth decent and landing are the most important. Also, comminicate w/ him and the ground guy. Stay away from trying something tricky. I blew 2 comps trying to win style pts. Also, watch your hardhat. MW had a guy loose the event by knocking his HH off unsnapping the dummy. Auto DQ. As for the Dummy, the MW dummy weighs about 150 lbs. Quite a shock ffor the first timer.

Throwline: two words: Zing It!

As for comp in other chapters, in the MW you have to be working in the chptr boundry for 4 mths prior to the comp. Membership has nothing to do w/ it.

Best of Luck! Let us know how you do!