Footlocking help

[Tree Machine]

What a wuss! Git the heck off the porch, Tree Machine.

 

[Tree Machine]

Last clip

OK, here is the clip where the camera guy is up top, shooting from above. the view on this comes out real nice.

Now the reason I say that ANY ONE OF YOU CAN DO THIS is that I'm demonstrating this successfully, with a broken leg, wearing bedroom slippers. I am at quite a disadvantage, yet it looks rather effortless. And it is. It's all about how you clamp your feet together. Now watch closely one last time....

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I did not read all 40 posts (well only the first and then last three)...

Jim, have you looked into the RADS SRT set-up that Tom D. has been using. Dave R. took it up last year due to rotator cuff problems and it really works wekk for him.

 

[Husky288XP]

Good source of information Tree Machine.

 

[Tree Machine]

Thanks you guys. I hope it helps. As you witnessed, it really is a most boiled-down, straight forward method and it is truly not that difficult. It just takes some practice.

John Paul, I have not looked into Tom's SRT RADS specifically. I know what a RADS setup looks like. I use it for pulling trees over, but the only time I will use that in a tree is when I drop down through a fork knowing that I will be going right back up. RADS is a 2:1 system and takes twice the motion to go the same distance as a 1:1, plus it requires a minimum of rigging.

I'm a big fan of not making tree climbing any harder than it has to be.

 

[Sizzle-Chest]

thanks for postin that TM. I dont know why you would have, but did you try that thing i was calling footlock? I might be crazy, but it seems like it goes faster than the real footlock and its less complicated. But i should try the real way before i really say that.,

 

[Tree Machine]

You should try as many different ways as you can, Sizzle. I haven't tried the method you described, but I will.

I might be crazy, but it seems like it goes faster than the real footlock and its less complicated.

Whether or not you're crazy is definitely up for debate. I mean, you post a picture of your wife in your avatar and that tells me right there you're not playing with a full deck. But I like ya.

When trying the 'real' footlock (let's call it 'conventional'), cross right foot over top of the left, and try to go heel-to-heel (you can do this sitting where you are) you've just created a 'V' between your feet, move your feet forward until the rope is deep in the well of the V. Move them back to the position as if you were standing on the ground, flat-footed, with your feet butted up to one another. Then tip your right toe downward. You've created a shallow X with your feet. V.....X, repeat if necessary. That's it.

Now, I'm going to share the fine detail that will crystallize this for you. I want you to sit back in your chair with your feet up off the ground. Put your feet butted up to one another as if you are standing flat-footed on the ground; left-inside heel to right-inside heel, left-inside big toe area up against right-inside to area, the bottom of your soles level with each other. Look at your feet. See that tapered gap right in the middle of your arch area? This is bad. Now tip your right foot forward. See that gap disappear? This is good. That is where you get the 'pinch' on the rope. THAT little detail is what will make or break your footlock.

When you see a good footlocker doing his thing, this is the little nuance that you don't see.

 

[Tree Machine]

What are you using for your tie-in. It looks like you have some sort of ascender not a friction knot. Whatever you are using seems easier than my Blakes and it appeared to have a handle.

See pictures 1, 2 and 3.

I just learned how to climb, all hip thrust with friction knot. I get about a foot per pull in which I get about five and I want to quit. There has got to be an easier way. I watched you do the footlock and you were up in about two seconds. I also noticed that you were vertical. I feel like I am falling over backwards.

You're comparing hip thrust to footlock, cherries to watermelons. In a hip thrust you ARE somewhere between vertical and horizontal. In a footlock, you are vertical. Focus on being vertical. If you've been trained in body thrust, vertical will seem foreign to you. Purge your mind of your old climbing truths. Start with a fresh slate. There are moments where a body thrust is advantageous, but they will just be moments.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

When you see a good footlocker doing his thing, this is the little nuance that you don't see.

The actual lock is the beginnign, the second part of being a truely good foot locker is getting the momentum right. This is similar to how a B-ball player kicks up for that extra hight/hang time in a jumpshot, kinda like standing up in the air.

Thiss allows you to hold the rope, without holding all your wieght, then advance the hitchas you stand.

I know it in theory, but have not been able to get it all together and use in every day work. I still have to sit on the hitch to rest, which locks it up, wasting more energy.

Several years ago I went to the Mar-Bar(R) system for tall tree entry. Pricey in startup, but I can rest every 30 feet in the afternoon. In the AM I can usually do a 50-75 ft pitch w/o a rest

IMO one needs to master the seperate parts of the FL before trying it for daily use, or frustration will make you give it up.

FL'ing the tail on your trad system using an "advanced hitch" or a long Blakes will make it coem together in several weeks.

 

[Tree Machine]

Or going up with backed-up ascenders will make it come together in minutes. Ascenders can be used DdRT, DbRT or SRT. Once in the tree you can choose whatever system you wish, just flipline in and switch over. Chances are you're gonna rest once you get to your vertical destination, so flipline in, rest and switch over to your preferred system. Clip the ascender to your hip and get on to your tree care duty.

I pretty much put my full weight on the ascender between each and every lock. I stop and hang for a few moments, and then move on. With a hitch, you don't really get that liberty for the reason JP mentions.

Ascending a rope should not be 'suffering'. It should be joy. It should demonstrate to any watchers, most immediately, that you clearly know what you're doing.

 

[bottlefed89]

Are the Vid's post stump grinder accident?? Not to pry into your business, but if they are I'd say you're making a hell of a recovery... Thanks for the vids, you make it look easy.

 

[jamie]

ok

i was taught differently, instead of having feet side by side, i wrap my left foot round the rope in the same way, but then scoop the rope up with the right and stand on the rope with my toes on top of my foot....

have to give that a try, doesnt look as painful. was also showed a way of dropping a loop down from one hand and standing in it,

not very effective and uses one leg only

jamie

 

[bottlefed89]

Jamie, I've always done the same thing you're talking about, wrap with the left foot, then lock it with your right, but I defenitely suck at it. We'll see if this way works any better.

 

[jamie]

i honestly havnt tried it in a tree, will get out tomorrow, and try, may have to go buy some cord.....more money

unless dhl arrive early

jamie

 

[Tree Machine]

Are the Vid's post stump grinder accident?? Not to pry into your business, but if they are I'd say you're making a hell of a recovery...

Yea. The videos were shot the day before yesterday and posted yesterday. 4-1/2 months post-accident. I am so very greatful to be able to footlock again. This has been the first time since June.

 

[bottlefed89]

Awesome, glad to hear you're doing so well. I looked at the pics you posted of your leg after the injury, I am impressed you're able to walk, let alone footlock...

 

[Bodean]

Kentucky , honest question. Why footlock 50-60' for a wreck. Maybe it's faster than hiking up with the spurs? I'm not dissing just asking as I'm sure you're on it.
D

 

[Tree Machine]

I'll answer. The shortest distance from point A to point B is a straight line. And it can be faster than spurring up. That all depends on the tree and how good a footlocker you become.

Here's another encouraging point for all of you. It's not like you keep getting better at footlocking over time. There is definitely a finite end to what it takes to be an expert. I have not improved my footlocking ability in 12 years, it has remained constant. Certain boots I have found work a little better, but overall, once you 'get it', you got it.

 

[bottlefed89]

The tree and the climber...

 

[PTS]

I am looking at getting a pantin which I have heard several of you talk about. I ran across this website that talks about the pantin but it isn't positive. Can someone shed a little light on the subject. I wonder if the user was lost.


http://storrick.cnchost.com/VerticalDevicesPage/Ascender/EccCamPages/FEC129.html