Footlocking!!!!

[The Tree Hunter]

Anyone got any tips or advice for footlocking??? i've been asked to be part of the climbing team for college for the comp in may at merrist wood, we've not done any footlocking and although i know the principles, am wondering if you have any tips that make it easier..........also do you have to wear chainsaw boots or can you do it in walking boots???

[Tree cutter Stu]

you dont have to wear chainsaw boots in any climbing comp. just pratice alot before the comp the first few locks are the hardest and the most important thing pratice

[Tommy_B]

You'll find it easier with boots without a heel as they lock the rope better.

 

Some of the best advice was to put up in another thread on here. Dig around and you'll find loads of stuff:thumbup1:

[RobDog]

Set an anchor line and attach a pulley to the end and insert a VT system in the pulley.You can single line footlock off the vt and pulley settup....no friction and even use an ascender.

[Dean Lofthouse]

I first got to learn footlocking without knots or harness, ie just put a rope up and do two or three footlocks up a few feet and come back down.

 

Do this until you have got it spot on then introduce the harness and whatever friction hitch you decide to use.

 

You find you spend too much time thinking anf faffing about with knots rather than learning the actual footlock and building the muscles you need to do it, you need to train the muscles and yourself first

[Steve Bullman]

good advice by dean there.

whatever friction hitch you use should be out of reach when you are footlocking....and should be ignore. your hands sliding up the rope should advance the hitch as if it wasnt there. if you have it set wrong and have to physically push it up you're wasting valuable energy

[The Tree Hunter]

can you use gadgets and stuff for the competitions???

[RobDog]

Only a prussux loop six wrap.The climb will have a belay backup and you can never grab the rope on or above the loop

[DrewB]

grab above on the last pull and leap for the bell, you get one warning, use it!

[Steve Bullman]

grab above on the last pull and leap for the bell, you get one warning, use it!

 

just for arguements sake, it one was going for a record attempt, im assuming that would void the time?