Rate of ascent - Curious about how fast (slow) am I?

R.Boreal

A big part of tree climbing for me is the physical fitness part. So I do push myself sometimes for the cardio.

I don't have videos of past tree competitions - I guess I should buy some online. I actually have seen very little climbing. I remember years ago, some guy booking up a tree in spikes on TV, and a few hatchet and saw competitions. That's about it.

Anyway, I was wondering about my physical condition, technique and overall performance, as compared to other climbers. I know, of course, that there's guys and gals who make me look like I'm standing still, but I'm interested to know just how bad they'll smoke me.

So the other day, for only the second time in 5 years, I actually timed myself during 2 ascents and descents.
*Texas-style climbing system
*Petzl paired ascenders.
*Saddle is kept on the heavy side on purpose, probably weighs 18 lbs.
*The line TIP is approx. 83 ft. (pic attached)
*Line is New England Safety Blue
*Knit gloves, rubber coated (but hell they do NOTHING for the cold!)
*Changeover to a Figure-8 descender and also carabiner below it clipped on my side ring with a Munter hitch.

I got up and down twice in about 19 mins. I don't know how long it takes me to complete my "changeover", but I'm guessing about a minute, or more, and maybe a little less than a minute to descend. I use a figure-8 descender and a Munter hitch both, so I'm not flying down way fast. I'm guessing I make it up to my Tarbuck knot (TIP) in about 7 minutes. So by my calculations I can do almost 12' a minute for two consecutive 83' climbs with no rests other than the changeover on both ends.

7 mins = 420 secs
83ft / 420 secs = .198 ft. per sec,
.198 X 60 secs = 11.88, so say almost 12ft. per minute

What I'm most interested in is other's technique. I think I am really inconvenienced by my build - short. When I do my Texas rig, I don't keep my hands fully gripping the handles the whole time. If I did my cycles would not be very productive. In order to push the handle that connects to the boot straps to its full 'throw', I twist up to that side and kind of finger push it as high as I can, while throwing both legs up in a very stiff caricature of a diver's pike position. My arms just aren't long enough to extend the boot-strap ascender the full strap length if I maintain a full grip.

And when I climb into a standing position, it's two motions, not one. As I begin to stand I advance the lead ascender once, and then again all the way after I'm fully upright. So, I can imagine how a lanky person who's all arms (Jimmy Page comes to mind, I'm a musician) would be able to work a Texas rig like a madman and probably do 2 or 3X the rate of ascent I can.

But I don't know that for sure. Which is why I'm curious.

And no matter how bad I suck by your standards, I was "King of Suckiness" back in the mid 1990's. I still remember the first time I ever clipped into my Texas rig. I was pudgy, and inexperienced, and I did maybe 5 cycles and was breathless. My kind next door neighbor, a gratis 1-man ground crew, just stood there waiting for me to get into position. After awhile he just said "Dude, I got stuff to do, call out to me or something when you're there. You should just put on spikes on and monkey up that tree."

Attached Images

SRT_LongWayUp_lo.jpg (95.7 KB, 42 views)

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KidInTree

Sounds like your pretty efficent in climbing with the srt and making a fairly decent pace. i know what u mean being short and having the stub arms compared to some people my partner can gain twice as much height per "air hump". we both use a drt for trimmin but we shoot a pully in first to make a nice and easy 2to1 halfing the effort we havent timed ourselves but it has been pretty efficent and can make 60 feet in 3-4 min if goes good.

jim1nz

Hmm yea kinda interesting but i dont think its that big an issue, climbing to the top once you have set your rope i mean. Thats the easy part.

Most of the time is spent getting around the tree, getting to every tip when you have to, that for me is what seperates good climbers from not so good.

I footlock usually, in comps i can ascend 1m per second (15m=15sec). I think thats about 50ft isnt it? At work it very rarely takes longer than 1 minute to get to the top, then change over to a 2:1 climbing system and im good to go.

Ekka you have a video, of Matty and myself footlocking. Can you post it up on here?

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TREE-SURFER

I'm a smoker, so my ascent would be considerably slower than most. Should really give up.

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What experts say about TOPPING

R.Boreal

No question. Sometimes I forget for a second that these boards are read and written mostly by professional tree workers and not just rec climbers. Certainly, getting around in the tree, reaching the crazy hard to get spots, limb walking with poise and confidence - all that's the really important part that determines whether or not you will remain profitable.

Setting the line quickly is important too, I guess.

You wrote that you footlock "in comps". I'm not sure what that means. Is that a mechanical rope lock assist, like a Pantin?

Because if you're as fast as you say you are, that's pretty freaking unbelievable. I footlock mostly to keep myself familiar with the technique of doing it, and also because it's a tough workout. If I crunch up and grab the rope high enough with the footlock, then pulling myself up into a standing position to advance knot take a lot of Ummph! because I'm starting at an almost "laying down" position. Really great arm workout.

But I digress - my point is that if I lock the rope high and tight, it takes a longer time to pull myself up to where I can advance the knot, especially the more tired I get. So I'm slower going up in footlock than with the Petzl Texas rig. And I have imagined that, if my footlock technique was really good, it should actually be faster than working with mechanical ascenders. But I never thought anyone could make that kind of time. 50ft in 15 seconds is like, well, Blue Ribbon medal stuff. Niiiiiiice.

And I can see why you think it's the easy part! I would love to see the video, if I missed it, apologies.

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jim1nz

Oh sorry i meant i tree climbing competitions. Its 1 event of 5 called, the secured footlock.

At work you have plenty of gear hanging off ya plus its more about preserving your body and climbing to last the day to day effort.

I never use mechanical assistance but there is most certainly a place for it at work with single line access.

Your technique sound like its a real workout all right and if thats what your after then cool. Rope access is all about technique, speed follows...

Check this link out, notice how easy some people make it look. Youll have to ask Ekka about the video of me footlocking, i dont have any.

YouTube - ITCC 2006 FOOTLOCK

Cheers James

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newguy18

heres that video Jim
jim1nz and his mate footlocking @ 12m
You seem pretty good with your srt setup,i never use srt since i can bodythrust fairly quick but on really dense trees it usually quicker for me to oull my self up the line and then take up slack with the hitch.

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