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FoilFlaws
   
location:
Kettering, OH
Gender: Male
Natural Selection
 |  |  | Big Foot Climbing
< on 12/28/2009 8:13 PM >
|  | | | So I have been UEing for somewhere around 2 or 3 months and one problem keeps coming up: climbing. Now the obvious solution is to develop a stronger upper body, and I am working on that. My legs are actually very strong due to the sport I am heavily involved in. The problem is that I have difficulty getting a foothold because my feet are size 15s and wide. Obviously it is hard shoving those into a chain link fence or onto a small bolt sticking out of the side of a wall. When I do get a foot hold I am fast and confident climber.
To cut the crap, any short term tips for climbing, such as how to get a more solid foothold?
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bfinan0
location:
Rochester, NY
Gender: Male
| |  | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 1 on 12/28/2009 8:21 PM >
| | | | Find bigger fences? I have the same problem (not quite as bad, 13 1/2, but still...), and have been considering a few solutions to try if I ever actually need to climb a fence. One idea, although it requires some spare parts, would be to use right-angle brackets (of the kind that one would use to attach a shelf to a wall), stick those into the holes in the fence, the force of stepping on one would solidify it into its position
80s-style ASCII art representation
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(step V here) |
-----------¤~~œ~¤ nut/bolt resting in X of fence
right angle| |f
bracket | |e
| |n
| |c
| |e
----> | œ
(this is
a resultant
force and holds the bracket to the fence)
[last edit 12/28/2009 8:22 PM by bfinan0 - edited 1 times]
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ActionSatisfaction Esq.
    
location:
Newark, NJ
Gender: Male
Action always satisfies
| | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 2 on 12/28/2009 8:23 PM >
| | | | 
"The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life." - T.R. |
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KingCrouton
Gender: Male
| | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 3 on 12/28/2009 8:44 PM >
| | | | Posted by ActionSatisfaction Esq.
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Wow. What in the world are those?
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makman
location:
Rochester, NY
Gender: Male
I live alone with a criminal
| | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 4 on 12/28/2009 8:51 PM >
| | | | Posted by KingCrouton
Wow. What in the world are those?
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I know a few runners who use those and love them. The rock climbers I know who've tried them are a mixed bag- some swear by them, some swear at them. Those in favor cite better foot flexibility and an increased ability to 'feel' the hold. Those against argue that it hurts your ability to use all your toes as one lever when climbing. Not being a very good climber (large feet being a problem secondary to having crap upper body strength), I couldn't comment either way myself.
Be careful, not safe.
"Urbex- so much fun that it should be illegal." |
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AnAppleSnail
location:
Charlotte, NC
Gender: Male
ALL the flashlights!
| | | | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 5 on 12/28/2009 8:51 PM >
| | | | Posted by KingCrouton
Wow. What in the world are those?
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It says in the photo, but... Vibram fivefingers. They have hardish soles and let you use your toes. Sadly, my own toes are too long to use them - they try to bend in the wrong places with the shoe! They're about $80, give 'em a shot. Also, if you hold the fence and push your feet into it you can still get grip when the holes are too small for your toes.
Achievement Unlocked
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\/adder
location:
DunkarooLand
Gender: Male
I'm the worst of the best but I'm in this race.
| | | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 6 on 12/28/2009 9:40 PM >
| | | | Olaf's Fence Bypass Tutorial
"No risk, no reward, no fun."
"Go all the way or walk away"
escensi omnis... |
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ActionSatisfaction Esq.
location:
Newark, NJ
Gender: Male
Action always satisfies
| | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 7 on 12/28/2009 10:08 PM >
| | | | Yeah, like makman said, Vibram Fivefingers! Emma got me a pair for my last b-day. I use them for bouldering and I feel like they're a big help. I wear size 13 shoes, so I have the same problem with getting good holds on small ledges. Or at least feeling comfortable with the hold I have. Anyway, I like these because they allow me to feel what's underneath me much better and maybe get some toe holds I wouldn't normally be able to get.
For reference, I'm wearing them in this picture.
I haven't used them for any fence climbing yet, but I'd imagine they'd be great for it. The bottom sole is a flexible rubber material, so it would prevent the pain you'd get from trying to climb chain-link barefoot, while allowing you to use your toes in the links. Just make sure you bring something thicker to actually wear while inside any abandoned places, since something like a nail would go through these relatively easy.
[last edit 12/28/2009 10:11 PM by ActionSatisfaction Esq. - edited 1 times]
"The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life." - T.R. |
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KingCrouton
Gender: Male
| | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 8 on 12/28/2009 10:20 PM >
| | | | Just out of curiosity, as I have never tried to climb a fence barefoot, wouldn't you worry about the toes getting stuck between the fence wires?
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ActionSatisfaction Esq.
location:
Newark, NJ
Gender: Male
Action always satisfies
| | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 9 on 12/28/2009 10:54 PM >
| | | | Nah, I wouldn't worry about that, I've never seen links large enough to fit your toes in, but small enough to catch them. There are specialized fences I'm sure, but they seem rare.
"The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life." - T.R. |
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KingCrouton
Gender: Male
| | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 10 on 12/28/2009 11:01 PM >
| | | | Actually, what I was getting at is when you put your foot on anything vertical, you press with the ball of your foot and your toes curl. If you have space between your toes, they will ...... ahhhh nevermind. Im getting too nerdy and debate something too retarded to even talk about. Disregard 
[last edit 12/28/2009 11:03 PM by KingCrouton - edited 1 times]
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MindHacker
location:
Suburbs of DC
Gender: Male
If you spot a terrorist arrow, pin it to the wall with your shoulder.
| | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 11 on 12/29/2009 6:02 AM >
| | | | Tabi boots?
And, of course, practice.
"That's just my opinion. I would, however, advocate for explosive breaching, since speed and looking cool are both concerns in my job."-Wilkinshire |
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FoilFlaws
location:
Kettering, OH
Gender: Male
Natural Selection
| | | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 12 on 12/29/2009 7:10 PM >
| | | | Thanks for all the advice.
I like the Vibram's but alas my feet are too big for them even!
The first idea is cool, seems batman-esque, of course the article was great as well.
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Alanslinky
location:
Connecticut
Gender: Male
They locked down their fortress - with locks!
| | | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 13 on 12/29/2009 8:01 PM >
| | | | Your feet may not be too big for the Vibrams. I wear size 16 and emailed them about custom making a pair my size. They wont do it, but suggested trying the largest size they make since the material stretches. I went for a road trip to a store that sells them in Rhode Island found a pair of the KSO's in a size 48, and they surprisingly fit. You might want to give those a shot before giving up on them. Otherwise I know there are a few rock climbing shoe makers out there who will custom make shoes in larger sizes.
http://AlanSlinsky.imagekind.com/ New gallery added 5/4/2009! Check it out! |
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DJ Craig
 
Moderator
location:
Johnson City, TN
Gender: Male
Break the Silence
| | | | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 14 on 12/29/2009 8:49 PM >
| | | | Posted by ActionSatisfaction Esq.
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I know Mr Blue swears by those things.
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." -Dr. Suess |
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bonnie&clyde
location:
510 & 415
Cleverly disguised as responsible adults
| | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 15 on 12/31/2009 5:47 AM >
| | | | $20 bucks @ my local martial arts store. Then swap into ur regular shoes once ur done climbing.
The question is not when are we gonna stop, It's who's gonna stop us?
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Alanslinky
location:
Connecticut
Gender: Male
They locked down their fortress - with locks!
| | | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 16 on 12/31/2009 1:19 PM >
| | | | I always wanted to try a pair of those for fence climbing. The toes look like they would fit through holes of chain link fences nicely.
http://AlanSlinsky.imagekind.com/ New gallery added 5/4/2009! Check it out! |
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junkyard
location:
LaCrosse, WI
Gender: Male
Strategic Beer Command where the metal hits the meat.
| | | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 17 on 12/31/2009 4:13 PM >
| | | | Mr. Brown usually goes under or between the gates if he fits. He has trouble climbing them too, so don't feel bad. He doesn't care as long as he gets to the other side.
I drink gasoline for breakfeast and beer for dinner!
Any problem can be licked with a case of beer and a few sticks of dynamite.
Strategic Beer Command ruling the desert since 1995 http://www.strategic-beer-command.com |
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digital_me
location:
Colorado
Gender: Male
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro
| | | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 18 on 1/1/2010 5:58 PM >
| | | | There are always week spots on fences. Corners, gates, damaged points. All offer an opportunity to attack the fence with more than just upper body strength.
Unless you are facing an endless stretch of perfectly maintained four meter high anti-climb fence with no grappling hook, there is a way over.
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gretschdiva
location:
Johnson City, Tennessee
Gender: Female
I'm just a chick, playing a chick, disguised as another chick
| | | Re: Big Foot Climbing
<Reply # 19 on 1/4/2010 6:29 PM >
| | | | Posted by DJ Craig
I know Mr Blue swears by those things.
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Perhaps I should invest in a pair of these bad boys, because as DJ Craig knows, I am less than proficient at fence climbing when the roll-over technique that Bounce Wiggle and I invented is not possible.
Any idea where I can find a pair?
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