Klein Spurs with Notch Jet Step Foot Ascender

[@metaspencer]

interesting setup ... I use that ascender and like it a lot, but haven't mounted one on my spur ... cool idea

[@bigbuss2000]

I tried to do this today and broke the tap in the hole. Since I was using a steel plate instead of aluminum, I ended up welded the L shape plate directly on my Buckingham steel climber. Thank you for an excellent idea.

[@boomupengineering]

I will do my titanium Buckingham's next. I'm sure that will be more difficult to drill and tap. I'll use smaller screws this time. 6mm or 1/4". Thru-bolting would probably be fine too.

[@frankalden6093]

Love your videos, clear and precise to the subject matter with excellent presentation. The first thing I noticed when climbing with foot and knee ascender is when you get tired and want to descend, it is necessary to remove the rope from the gadgets. Being so tired that I have to abort the climb and come down, I can barely lift my leg to get the rope off the foot ascender. The locking mechanism can be deceptively complicated to work with the weighty rope, weak leg and contortion to get within arms reach. I took great interest in the Notch Jet Step for its ease of removing the rope. You have solved the problem of mounting it to the Klein steel spurs. I am inspired to do the same. I purchased the same CT foot ascender you have but never used it as the weight of it is shocking and will surely exasperate the tired leg problem. Thank you for sharing your inventive solutions.

[@boomupengineering]

I hear you on not wanting to have to reach down and do all the things to unlock a foot ascender. I'm trying to figure out how to video myself on the rope. My wife and boys aren't around to give me a hand. I really like the combination of this Jet Step and an adjustable foot loop connected to my Unicender. When I am done rope walking I can easily kick out of the Jet Step then I can slack my foot loop. I started using a Petzl Adjust and a rope to do an easily adjustable foot loop. If I want I can completely slack my foot loop yet still leave it attached to my foot and my Unicender. No knee ascender but I do have to run a very stretchy neck lanyard to scoot up the Unicender. I had watched Zaccheus - he skips the knee ascender as well.

[@frankalden6093]

Zaccheus is an interesting watch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHTRdqSPgbCXjM0 I am surprised there are no sit back problems (i.e. lost motion between steps). Looks like he is using a Rope Runner. Simplifying the rig by eliminating the knee ascender is a big plus. I have a Hitch Hiker 2 which uses a prussic type knot to control decent so there probably would be a sit back problem using that. Once again you are giving me food for thought. Looking forward to a video of you rope walking.

[@boomupengineering]

@@frankalden6093 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqSxo5J8hNF-pc0. I'll have to try again when I either get a better camera setup figured out or I get one of my boys to help out. Tried to explain knee-ascenderless rope walking then show just a little. Works great with the Unicender, Jet Step and adjustable foot loop. Oh, I need to figure out a better neck lanyard too.

[@frankalden6093]

Choking is the issue with a neck lanyard. Something falls and knocks you out. You slump down in your harness and choke to death on your lanyard. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJScno1uqbB3kKc I don't know if there is a solution but worth thinking about. I purchased Weaver elastic saddle suspenders and was surprised to find Velcro strips sewn into the webbing so the tie bridge position can be vertically adjusted. The bridge has a buckle in the center of its span which makes tether attaching inconvenient but with some rework can be done. Also the Velcro strips need to be extended higher into the shoulder area. Not sure if the Velcro will be strong enough for a tether considering sawdust build up over time. My alternate plan was to have a tether lanyard attached to the rear of the saddle, slung over the shoulder and fixed in position with Velcro loops attached to the suspender shoulder straps.

[@boomupengineering]

​@@frankalden6093 I'd welcome suspenders if I didn't currently live in TN. They'd just be one more piece of totally sweat-soaked gear to deal with. However, fall protection harnesses go over your shoulders for a reason. I'll have to play around and see what all happens if I go completely limp. Neck lanyard or without. I did see the Edelrid chest harness at a show a while back. It has a long stretchy cord setup built in. Crazy expensive though unless ordered from Europe. I don't need anything to hold up my saddle but I think I'll probably go the route of suspenders or something similar. At most it will be nylon webbing plus the shock cord I've already got. Will see how creative I get.

[@mattfleming86]

Thanks for this. I purchased the CT removable ascender and that cobble of steel clamping plates is hot garbage. There is NOT sufficient clamping force to keep the ascender in one place. I'll be using the plates that came with the CT to fix mount to the shank like you did. TBH I also do not like the QD setup of the CT it is prone to self-detach unless you do some bending work on the little tab to stiffen it up. But i'm already invested and money is tight lol.

[@groundpounder24365]

Excellent video..thank you for sharing.

[@MikeBrooks12550]

Nice thorough video, I was looking at doing this. Just hadn't gotten to it. I have a jet step ascender and the notch gecko steel spurs. Was trying not to drill the shank, but looks like a good set up, so maybe I'll go ahead and try it.

[@boomupengineering]

The Geckos aren't nearly so beefy as my Kleins but should still work. I had a pair of those but recently sold them. Next pair I do I'll use 1/4" or maybe smaller screws. I've got a pair of Buckingham's to modify next.

[@MikeBrooks12550]

@@boomupengineering thanks, I noticed that too (part of the trepidation for making holes in the shank. I was thinking that I could make an adapter plate to fit the holes next to the gaff for that sake, we will see. Thanks!

[@boomupengineering]

@MikeBrooks12550 Oh, that's right...Notch put some holes in there. Perhaps they planned for attaching a foot ascender that never came to be. Yeah, use those.

[@nad9976]

Very cool. What was the rationale for your choice of spurs? It’s late (for me) and this tiny phone screen isn’t helping, but they look like steel with no offset for ankle…

[@boomupengineering]

I started with Notch steel spurs but didn't like how they moved around on my foot. They would slip past the heel on my boot. I was going to try NuGreen 2-piece lower velcro straps but I then sold the spurs. I bought these Klein pole spurs next. Heavy but I like the narrow stirrup which holds onto my boot very well. Now I have no issues even when using traditional straps. I also have a pair of Buckingham Titanium spurs (tree gaffs) and just mounted my Jet Step foot ascender. I'll release that video soon.

[@203_climber]

you da man