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Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 18, 2012 12:12 am
by cavercrane97
I am about to start building my frog climbing system and I was wondering if anybody uses a split frog. I read about it on the internet and it sounded like it may be a little more effecient than the basic frog system. If you use a split frog, please give me some pointers and your opinion on how well it works. Thanks!! :cavingrocks:

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 18, 2012 7:00 am
by chh
Never heard of it. Are you referring to one of the couple different variations on a frog achieved with a pantin?

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 18, 2012 9:54 am
by Chads93GT
Never heard of that either. Ive seen lots of people use pantins on either foot, of their frog system, making it much more efficient and easier to self start........ ive never used a pantin.

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 18, 2012 6:25 pm
by cavercrane97
I am referring to the addition of a Pantin to increase the efficiency of the Frog System. I was reading through a few websites and what you described was called a split frog or Frogwalker. Do you have any comments on possibly adding this to my frog system?

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 18, 2012 7:30 pm
by potholer
Personally I love my Pantin, not that I do much in the way of pseudo-ropewalking with it, but as well as helping keep rope running through the system even from the pitch bottom, it allows some variety in stepping on long ascents, is good if against a wall, great in narrow pitches,and makes various non-ideal pitchheads far easier to negotiate.

One thing I do find very useful is a chicken loop for the hand-jammer's footloop to avoid stepping out of (or through) the footloop if that foot and my hands get out of sync.
Also, the wear protection tubular tape does tend to slide along under the foot away from the Pantin body.
With my latest replacement footloop, knowing I don't adjust the position, I got it set up right and than tacked the footstrap and protection tape into position with some strong thread running through both.

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 19, 2012 9:33 am
by cavercrane97
The addition of the Pantin sounds like a very great idea. Does it every get tangled or on the way though?

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 19, 2012 12:05 pm
by Stridergdm
I've been meaning to pick up a pantin to practice with. The first time I borrowed one, it felt very awkward. The second time I borrowed one, I felt like I was getting the hang of it.

I think especially for longer drops it would really help me (since with my legs and my form, I don't keep my legs under meas much as I'd like.)

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 19, 2012 12:44 pm
by Lava
I hated my Pantin at first, but once I got used to it I saw a large increase in efficiency. It's not worth the hassle to use one on short trips or short drops, but if you're doing really big drops or lots of drops on a long trip, especially if you're carrying a heavy load, then it's a necessity.

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 19, 2012 1:29 pm
by potholer
One thing that is worth remembering is that the Pantin foot should be well back, to avoid increasing wear on the front of the croll - if one leg needs to go forwards to fend off a wall, it's better to use the non-Pantin one.

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 19, 2012 9:32 pm
by cavercrane97
Thanks guys for the information. It really helps me to know the opinions of people who have used the pantin. I'll more than likely further my training with the edition of it so long climbs will be easier. I may be asking about a few other pieces of gear in the next few weeks. :cave softly:

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: Apr 20, 2012 7:09 am
by chh
I don't find the pantin all that more helpful for self starting, but it can be helpful at tricky undercut lips.
There are a couple different variations of frog-walkers. The one I like best comes with the addition of a section of bungee.
Croll stays where it is. Upper ascender goes below the croll. Shorten your footloop so the upper becomes a knee ascender. Using a basic here instead of a jug helps. Attach the piece of bungee from the top of your lower ascender and attach it to your harness loop either directly in front or up and over one shoulder. Presto, a hands free frog walker.

Re: Split Frog System

PostPosted: May 2, 2012 8:00 am
by GroundquestMSA
Split Frog, by the way, would be a fine name for a cave system.