Basejumper.com - archive

I would really appreciate constructive
input from bigger BASE guys who have
experience climbing vertical antennas.

I am 36, 6' 2", 195 to 200 pounds, can run
4 to 5 miles in decent time, do push-ups,
sit-ups, and spar regularly.

However, when I climb guyed A's I struggle.
My arms cramp, I rub my rig, this last climb
to 590 feet took 45 minutes, plus I had to
stuff my PC in the BOC 3 times.

 
Your a very similar size to me. Try putting your rig on your front while you climb, you wont be holding the extra weight away from your body, and you wont keep having to repack the BOC.

i normally try to use the sides of the ladder rail rather than the rungs too if the ladder allows. I find this quicker, however the real key to it all is usuing your legs more and your arms less to climb and more to hold if that makes sense.

Makes 500 ft in about fifteen mins quite easily.

Thanks for the replies everyone & Happy New Year!

Feed the climber's ahead of you more Mich Lite.

~Jake

I was in same boat, my first climb to 600ish was brutal... I agree with more legs, less arms. also, grabbing the side of the lader at shoulder height, instead of reaching up above you for the next rung keeps your center closer to the ladder and takes pressure off arms.

also, you can hook a pulley to the safety wire that runs up most guy'd A's ladders. you can fab a chest harness, but taking a long climbing sling, figure-8'd around you chest / shoulders with a quickdraw attaching the pulley to the sling works pretty good, this will let you lean back a little bit.

also, taking out your tampon reduces weight.

the trick is keeping the arms straight and not bending the elbows. on a ladder this means finding the left to right swing as you step up with the legs.

anytime there is arm bend means bicep exertion = bad, lactic acid, cramps .... unless you can do like 100 pullups...

what is skydiving and BASE making you softhmmm...how can that bemaybe just be consistent with things that demand more physical exhertion

590 in 45, we normally do 1100 in 45.

As already stated, try to use your legs. I grip the rungs at about head high. When I reach to grab a rung with my left hand I step up with my right foot then push with my right while my left hand just keeps my body close to the ladder. I only use two points of contact while climbing. To avoid muscle fatigue I move fast, run up 50 rungs then rest. Repeat till top.

Do it the same way you climb horizontal antennas, only go UP

I use the a lock step technique the same way you do in mountaineering. Each step I lock out my leg and remove all bend in the knee. This allows the leg muscles a chance to rest momentarily each step and allows for greater distances between stopping. I average 30 minutes from start to finish for a 1000' with a record of 23 minutes using this technique. Cross fit style workouts also help. You might want to check out americanparkour.com for their workout of the day. (plus a bunch of other cool stuff)

I am slow and damn proud of it at age 44. the only speed I need is small orange pill I do grab the rungs, while I see a lot of jumpers grabbing the side of the ladder. Haven't tried it, but if it can reduce lactic acid will try this week. First tower jump in over six weeks yesterday a.m. solo. had 40" p.c. and decided to get off at 330'. waiting and wondering a little longer than usual, plus did a longer delay on vented fox, now me ballz need ice pack...

horizontal antennas

Cute. I was comparing it to the
climbing of a freestander, which
I find much easier.

Of course they are shorter climbs
but the slight lean in really helps.

Thank you all again for the tips!
I will try them out hopefully soon.

I know, but it was funny.

your out of shape or scared... fix the problem its not that hard.

I'm 29, 6'3, and 225 lbs. Here's one way:

Quite your dead end job...
Find a telecommunications company thats hiring...
Apply for a job as a tower rigger...
Get the job...
Climb towers for a living...
Jump out of towers that you work on...
Thats what i did.

After the first three months of climbing everyday, you'll have no problem climbing anything!

Climbing sucks....but it's worth it!

an alcoholic that lives in a trailer across the street from my playground told me other day that a guy changed the lightbulbs on the 1100'er, finished the job in four hours, stated he made 3500 bucks for the job!!!!! Whatthefuckdidigotomedicalschoolfor?????

To prescribe me drugs! Actually i do need inhalers for my asthma, these winter climbs are hurting me

[First tower in over six weeks yesterday ]
[decided to get off at 330']
[now me ballz need ice pack...]

Chestnut, I just gotta ask, did you really get off at 330'? Is that better than on the ground? And is that why your balls need the ice pack?

If this was the tower you told me about, I may just avoid that object all together for a few months...

In all seriousness, thanks for advice on the different objects. I am about to open several of the ones we discussed here in TN.

twas a bit chilly. the cold and adrenalin give me the shrinkage . wonder if anybody's got jack off base???
something to think about...

I don't doubt it, but if I ever know of anyone trying to get it, I am climbing BEFORE them...

worse than that, I've climbed behind a brit locally after he pinched one and used small leaves to clean up with...and I thought it was mud from his boots on the ladder! fuckin Andy!!

This is what I was going to suggest, but only from my mountaineering experience, zero exp with A's yet.

I am 38 same weight in bad shape and climb slow. Just screw over the guys that jump with me. So come on down to Tampa we will be happy to climb with your slow ass. Hell willing to bet I will hold you up.

Sounds good bro, soon as my
schedule permits I'll head down.

tried the lockstep method 2 weeks ago on 1000' climb. I had only one climb above 400' in the 4 weeks preceeding that, so not alot to immediately compare to, but made the climb pretty easily using lockstep. It was kinda hell on my knees, but they are not in the greatest shape to begin with. I'd definitely say it helps on long climbs. thanks for the tip

hey tampa, i'm over here in kissimmee, but i'm willing to make the 30 minute drive for a piggy back ride. or you can make the drive. i've got a fantastic view from some of disney's firework displays.... and i'm a smoker, so don't worry about the climb times.

hello there, try skipping rungs with your hands. what i mean is: instead of holding on to every ladder rung while you climb, try skipping one or two as you climb. this keeps you hands from getting too tired and the different spacing seems to help me alot. jimmy

When I first started climving it was hard for me two, try taking a couple pain killers (over the counter) first and instead of grabbing each rung, put your hands on the outside of the ladder so they slide up without having to release and re-grab each time.

yeah works great call it the rest step or lock step same thing. Works great for those steep ascents!

I got into BASE from climbing. I would always keep straight arms and grab the side rungs.

The most important thing is to never let the lactic acid burn get started. It takes forever to go away. When I felt it even twinging, I would stop and stand on the girders. And air my arms out.

Much faster than just not taking a rest. I took tons of rests, and would do a 1500 footer several times a night.

I had no problem taking noodle armed people with me.

Big thanks to Jimmy and the rest of you!!

I have done about dozen climbs since starting
this thread and some of your tips really help!

I now alternate running my hands along the
sides of the ladder and skipping rungs.

Still not sure what the lock step is but since my
legs never get burnt I focused on the top half.