Is there a more efficient DDRT system?

Since I got back from Bob Wrays I have been climbing on P.I. using a Petzl Pantin on my right foot and then footlocking with my left and thrusting with both feet. This new line is so slick to footlock alone I get no grip. My question is there anyway to incorporate perhaps a hand ascender to make things easier? I am using a splittail system taught by Bob and I really like it but if I could add something to make it more efficient I am all ears. Thanks in advance.

cedar paul wrote:

Since I got back from Bob Wrays I have been climbing on P.I. using a Petzl Pantin on my right foot and then footlocking with my left and thrusting with both feet. This new line is so slick to footlock alone I get no grip. My question is there anyway to incorporate perhaps a hand ascender to make things easier? I am using a splittail system taught by Bob and I really like it but if I could add something to make it more efficient I am all ears. Thanks in advance.

If you're having trouble footlocking the tail with both feet I'd take a look at what you're wearing on your feet, you shouldn't have any problem with PI. If the heel is too high the rope will slip when you try to lock.

Can you provide more detail on what isn't working well for you? Where exactly in the ascent cycle are you having trouble?
-Andrew

Moss, like I said I am using the Pantin on the right foot and footlocking with the left with pretty good results. While I am not setting any speed records I can safely climb and decend using Bobs method I was just wondering if anything could be added to perhaps make it a little easier.I have tried 2 different boots styles and this new rope is very slick-perhaps after 10 or so climbs rotating ends I'll get a better footlock. I was footlocking no problem at Bob's but the rope was well worn in. I was going to try a home made chest harness(a dyneema loop twisted into a figure 8 and then fasten a micro pulley to it) and perhaps maintaining a more upright position will help some.

Here's something that may help with your footlock "grab" issues.
I mostly wear a work boot with a low heel. I've found that when I footlock, I get a better "bight" if I lock the rope more towards the ankle instead of directly on top of the arch of the foot.

I am heading out to climb and will give that a try. Thanks!

Here's some vids, folks. Its pretty much the easiest way to DdRT, IMO. Very smooth.



And the follow up:



This is Mr. Gerald Beranek. A veritable font of tree climbing wisdom.

I have found the same with a single loop foot lock as well. I have two pairs of boots, and the one without a flatter sole (no separate heel sticking out) is much easier to footlock with.

I made up the DLRW system as Jerry B. illustrated on YouTube and it works quite well. I still can't find any footwear that I can footlock on this Poison Ivy though. Do I need to look for a boot that has no heel? This stuff is very slick!

cedar paul wrote:

I made up the DLRW system as Jerry B. illustrated on YouTube and it works quite well. I still can't find any footwear that I can footlock on this Poison Ivy though. Do I need to look for a boot that has no heel? This stuff is very slick!

Keep working on your technique you'll get it. I suspect you aren't getting a positive grab where you're standing on the part of the rope on the top of your foot. Footling the tail DRT is more difficult to master than footlocking doubled rope in "secured footlock" technique, keep practicing.
-Andrew

Hey Andrew, when using the single footlock in conjunction with the Pantin on rt foot) am I missing something as how you "pinch" the rope with the footlock? Bob Wray taught me to point the foot down on the power stroke and then raise the toe to advance the line. No matter what position I put the foot the rope just slips and I get no bite. Are you pinching it against the other foot?

cedar paul wrote:

Hey Andrew, when using the single footlock in conjunction with the Pantin on rt foot) am I missing something as how you "pinch" the rope with the footlock? Bob Wray taught me to point the foot down on the power stroke and then raise the toe to advance the line. No matter what position I put the foot the rope just slips and I get no bite. Are you pinching it against the other foot?

Sounds like you have it set up on your foot wrong, should look like this on the lockdown, reverse for left foot of course, it won't work if the rope is looped any other way.

I am using my left foot and have the rope running correctly but still can't get it to grip. Is there a possibility that P.I. is not the best rope for this?

Coincidental datapoint.

I've been climbing less than a year (about 20 climbs) on a safety blue rope, using a single foot lock.

Today my PI arrived and I tried it out. In my case, I actually found it footlocked even easier. I use a flat-soled boot similar to what moss posted above.

It took me a few climbs before I got the feel of the footlock - keep at it?

On an unrelated note, I love this rope! Lighter, runs smooth as butter, yet the knots still grab well. The climb felt smoother and faster.

What kind of boots are you guys using because I have tried 4 different pairs so far and I get anything that enables me to do it. I was successful when I first learned this "single footlocking" but it was on well worn rope. If I did not have a Pantin I wouldn't be climbing at all. I have too many pairs of footwear and need another pair like a hole in the head but I might have no choice to pick up some inexpensive Merrills or some thing with no pronounced heel- that what i gather looking at moss's pics.

I have noname flat-soled boots (old pair I've had for 10+ years), but it also works wearing flat-soled cross-training sneakers. So try a pair of sneakers before you buy any footwear?

I can footlock with my heeled boots, but the rope doesn't run as smooth (gets caught on the heel) and sometimes the rope doesn't grab as well when it gets right against the heel in the "gap" between the heel and sole.