Rope Walking without Knee Ascender -- Unicender / Notch Jet Step on Spurs / Foot Loop

Sorry about the questionable video quality. My boys are not around to help with the camera.
Let's look at rope walking without use of a knee ascender. I show a Unicender, Notch Jet Step foot ascender and an adjustable foot loop which uses a Petzl Adjust. My harness is a Monkey Beaver 1.0 with an adjustable bridge which uses a Petzle Adjust and Petzl rings. Oh, the Jet Step mounted to the Klein spurs is working great.

[@zaccheus]

That's great! I love the adjustable foot loop. It took me a lot of goofing around to get mine just the right length, and the adjustability eliminates that trouble. I also had trouble finding the right elastic to lift the weight of the climbing device, bridge, foot loop, and all of that. I eventually ended up digging through a box of assorted length bungee cords from Walmart and found something that worked well enough 😂 I want to integrate some elastic into a set of suspenders sometime this winter maybe.

[@groundpounder24365]

And that's from Mr. Fancy flat flopper himself. 🫡 Zaccheus

[@frankalden6093]

Nice setup. You got me rethinking my own contraption. The elastic neck tether seems to solve the choking issue. Steel shank lineman boots made a world of difference on the soles of my feet after being in a tree for hours on spurs. Thanks for sharing your inventiveness and rigging skills.

[@boomupengineering]

I am waiting for some smaller elastic cord. I have an idea to try - perhaps something better than a neck tether.

[@timeorspace]

Hi Greg, I’ve been getting more climb time at work, wanting for SRT access, and also have pondered about a uni with knee ascender delete. I’m glad to see it working, thanks for sharing it!

[@boomupengineering]

I did my first full tree removal this weekend at a friend's house...a tough one. I used my spur mounted Notch foot ascender and Unicender to do a little rope walking. The Unicender tends well - no issues. My Uni has the Mumford mods. I have to wear gloves to slow myself when coming down. Other than that, it works decent. I may get back to trying my rope runner but it has much more sit back, and I don't think it handles heavier weight well. I've been hoping Reg Coates would have a new decender out by now.

[@groundpounder24365]

That's a great setup and good video. I feel like the ultralink complicates what should be a simple setup. The kiss ideologically went all to crap with that

[@metaspencer]

cool to see man ... good stuff

[@Sethhaun78]

Not tryed that yet. I do have weaver adjustable footloop.but have saka wish I bought the mini..version ..being short...just received my samson vortex dry sd...nice thick water resistant rope..things sweet from arbsession....anyone who likes rope wrench you will love the caralink tether from arbsession I run short 26 24 prussick cords hrc and epicord 9.3..with dmm perfect o...or whatever there small biner is called ..can get right up to the spar srt...almost same as akimbo..and it un clips easy ......God bless

[@boomupengineering]

Yeah, I've seen people really liking that water resistant rope. Next time I buy rope it'll probably be that.

[@jackberdine]

man, that is one expensive saddle setup! I'm super jealous, hope it's treating you well.

[@boomupengineering]

Yeah, tell me about it. I had a hard time giving up on a Notch Sentinel saddle and buying the MB 1.0. However, I have to have straps on my leg loops to keep them from riding up. Otherwise I am in pain. Once I found out the MB saddles had those, I knew that is exactly what I needed. I'm sure I could have had an upholstery shop sew on straps to the Sentinel leg loops but I had overall sizing issues as well. I think Notch tries to fit too many people with only two saddle sizes. I sold the Sentinel for a few hundred. It was sort of free - I ordered a slug of gear from Treestuff and that was the sale - get the saddle for free. Even though I only buy stuff when I have coupons...it's all crazy expensive. I've also learned which shops I like which also don't charge sales tax. Arbsession, Bartlett and Arbospace.

[@aerialrescuesolutions3277]

This video really does not show this in action? Way too much stuff involved, the folding Saka works just fine, and is cheaper than all that gear. I have all the items you show, but this just looks way too cumbersome. Jim

[@boomupengineering]

There's no magic. Obviously it is just substituting a foot loop for the knee ascender. One less thing hanging on your climb line. At most you save the cost of buying a knee ascender as you could fashion a foot loop from a trashed rope. I didn't as I realized I could play around with this setup easier with the Petzl Adjust. My two boys use foot loops and so we have them already. Wish I could buy the Petzl Adjust by itself, rather than with their ropes.

[@boomupengineering]

With a Unicender, this setup is just "different" when compared to running a SAKA, or even a little simpler. Climb efficiency depends on how well the Unicender tends. Works with my Rope Runner Pro but efficiency takes a hit. Also, with my weight, I've had the Rope Runner not want to disengage and tend. SAKA's work well - I've got one too. But it's mildly entertaining to play around...trying new things.

[@DeepRootsManzo]

I need that mounting plate for the notch jet step. I’ll pay you if you can make me one!

[@boomupengineering]

I have more of that 1/4 aluminum plate so that isn't out of the question if ya pay shipping. However, what you could do is buy 6061 aluminum flat bar off of Amazon. Do the 1/4" x 1.5". They sell it as short as 12" long but you'd cut it to 3" or a little longer. Drill two 5/16" or maybe 9/32" holes along one end to mount to your spurs with two 1/4" x 1/2" screws. Then drill two smaller holes to mount the Jet Step. I used 4mm screws but 3/16" will fit. Drill and tap your spurs to 1/4". Or thru-bolt to your spurs so you don't have to tap. Just put a button head socket cap screw to the inside so you don't tear up boots.

[@boomupengineering]

Check out www.oshcut.com or I'm sure there are now many others. If you can draw up the shape you want, including holes, they'll give you an instant quote. Their site told me $46.66 (shipped) to cut one piece like I suggested to you. A 1.5" x 3" x 1/4" plate with rounded corners and four holes. I have SolidWorks 3D CAD so I can draw up anything I want.

[@DeepRootsManzo]

I’ve since made one. It’s awesome thanks for the idea!

[@FT4Freedom]

More crap compounds error probability.

[@boomupengineering]

So many variables. Sometimes less is better, sometimes not. Odds of a failure can increase when component numbers increase; however, a single component is more likely to fail if it is not used with certain accessories. There is always a balance and even that can be different for every person or situation. Fun trying to find our own balance.

[@FT4Freedom]

@@boomupengineering agreed.