Footlock Runner

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Rob Murphy

ArboristSite Operative
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Dec 21, 2001
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Location
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What are you using as a footlock runner/loop? i have to make a new one. Also which knot do you use.
I am thinking off a single line with a large loop one end for the knot and a small loop the other to attach to the harness. what do you think/
 
Mine is out of 3/8ths Yalex. It has a tiny eye for a carabiner on one end and a larger eye for the klemheist on the other end. I LOVE it!

love
nick
 
Originally posted by NickfromWI
Mine is out of 3/8ths Yalex. It has a tiny eye for a carabiner on one end and a larger eye for the klemheist on the other end. I LOVE it!

love
nick

I'm tired and confused, what is that like, how does it work?

Jack
 
Originally posted by jkrueger
I'm tired and confused, what is that like, how does it work?
Don't feel bad, Jack! I know more Greek than Progressive Climberese. Any way, footlocking's harder on the hips etc. than ladder and bodythrusting or the Pantin ascender, so it seems outmoded to me.

I like to K.I.S.S
 
I'll see if I can get you a photo. It's beautiful!!!!! Very simple in design (Guy). It's basically an eye-eye sling. One big eye, one little eye.

Rob, tie a loop with a double or triple-fisherperson's bend. It should be long enough that you can tie a prusik of some sort, then attach the other end to your saddle, then slide the prusik up as far as your arms can reach.

love
nick
 
I just stick with the good old 10 ft piece of 9mm kernmantle tied in a double fishermans.

Kenn
 
Hey Guy,
I just watched Roachy footlock 49' in less than 20 seconds... And wasn't a bit short of breath when he got there!!!!!!!!
Seems to me that the thing that is REALLY outmoded here is your attitude...
Footlocking is an essential skill we all serious climbers should work towards mastering.... Those that have never seen a master of the technique in action, don't know what is possible.... I guess what bothers me here is the possabiity that some newbie may think you know what you are talking about, thus limiting his potential....

And my truth is that I have yet to get proficient in footlocking and keep 24' through 40' ladders on the truck at all times.. So I have some work to do myself in the area.... At least I know what I don't know how to do....

Your attitiude about such a basic technique leads me to question your attitude about every other aspect of tree work... You've lost a lot of credability in my eyes for makeing such a statement..

Now if you said something about single line technique being better for over the hill climbers, I could accept that... But advocating body thrusting over footlocking is inexcuseable...
 
I use 8mm line and tie it in the sliding double fishermans that is shown in the Tree Climber's Companion. I prefer a klemheist over the standard prusik knot.
 
Originally posted by murphy4trees
Seems to me that the thing that is REALLY outmoded here is your attitude... And my truth is that I have yet to get proficient in footlocking and keep 24' through 40' ladders on the truck at all times.. So I have some work to do myself in the area....
OK Murph I guess we both do. I've seen fast footlockers at TCC's and know it works for most guys. Since I got the Pantin I guess I just am skipping over learning that skill.;)

I'm extraordiarily stupid when it comes to learning new climbing techniques; that's well-established. Now that I spend most of my time on diagnosis and appraisal and PHC I'll never learn footlocking and I know that's my loss.:(

O and I do advocate the Pantin over bodythrusting in many trees, so I'm not that stubborn a dinosaur...:rolleyes:
 
I agree with Guy footlocking is outdated, I beleive it is retained as a tradition. There are better systems for entry, often the folks who are fast at footlocking are very exceptional atheletes. Still they would benefit using a less fatiuging system. I've worked with a lot of climbers of varying skill and experience. Most either didnt know how to footlock or just were'nt that good at it, again the ones who have it mastered make it look effortless, that still leaves the fact that it is an inefficient method of tree entry.
 
Footlocking is outdated? I would have thought the same would be said about body thrusting. Body thrusting gets real old real fast!

love
nick
 
Different strokes for different bodies

Originally posted by NickfromWI
Body thrusting gets real old real fast!
Well Nick, that all depends on how you're built. I doubt I could go 49' in 20 seconds; then again I'd use anther method if there was that far to go.

Bodythrusting 10-20' is not tiring. Still I prefer 1. ladder or 2. Pantin for longer distances.
 
I would agree that bodythrusting is as old a technique as footlocking, although some gadgets along with newer friction hitch use have made improvements. I would think that single line entry has proven its reliability and versatility even in the simple way I employ it and anyone can do it fat/old skinny/slow etc.
 
I can understand bodythrusting if you can walk up the trunk, but airhumping? Ack! No way! Footlocking or the pantin is the way to go when you can't put your feet on the tree, at least for me. Of course, it seems like SRT entry methods are the most efficient, but I haven't gotten there yet.
 
Airhumping doesn't sound very satisfying, in any meaning of the term.:D
Yes dragging a ladder around gets tiring; I take it only when I expect to need it, and check with the client to see about borrowing one before I load mine. But it is fast and safe.

"it seems like SRT entry methods are the most efficient,"

I've done SRT with a pro. The setup takes so long it's only efficient imo in some trees I do: <10%?
I'm glad for the experience--always good to try something new if it's safe, and SRT can be worth the time. But bodythrusting takes less time on most trees, if you have the right kind of strength for it.
 
Footlocking outdated? Don't think so my friends. Every method of entry has it's place and time. I personally use all possible methods. Anyone who is neglecting to learn an entry method; well, they haven't yet mastered their craft. We've all heard the excuses, whether it be because they're fat and lazy or just old and broken, if your're gonna be in this business be prepared it's a physical job. Get your butt to the gym if you're out of shape. Lay off the beer and potato chips and footlocking isn't so bad. Most people just won't spend enough time mastering they're technique, which makes this so much of an easier procedure.

Nothing wrong w/ using less strenuous methods, i too own a pantin. Do i use it often? No. If your that out of shape, then maybe you should become a chemical guy; just face it your not a climber. Nothing wrong w/ this but for someone who is speaking in a climber's forum, i don't think it's right to be putting down accepted methods of entry.
 
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