newbie seeks advice on ascension of man

[flat6]

Hello all. I want to learn SRT and play in TAG.

I have been reading and looking, reading and looking. I'm 6' 150lb and ride bikes allot. So the rope walker-type might better fit my musculature, but based on cost and mobility, I think I will start with a commercially-packaged frog system. I know of these:

PMI, sold w/ harness for $205
Gonzo, sold w/o harness for $180
Rope 1, sold w/ harness for $210

Are there others of which I should be aware? Anybody got a sense of nuances among them, if any, that might be relevant to my size, planned use, inexperience, et cetera? Testimonials?

Thanks in advance for any time you can give to a response.

[NZcaver]

Hello all. I want to learn SRT and play in TAG.

Welcome, flat6.

Have you tried wading through the previous On Rope threads? It might be a little too much information, but start with these:

http://www.caves.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1454

http://www.caves.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=90

http://www.caves.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1224

http://www.caves.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=436

[flat6]

Thanks, I'd read most of them but not all. Also some helpful info in a "first harness" thread.

[mabercrombie]

A frog is cheaper to start with, and if you can get it "tuned" proper, it is not bad regardless of your body type, I am top heavy and short but i used one for a couple of years then instead of buying a whole rope walker set up i only had to buy a chest harness a petzle basic and some extra soft ware (eg foot harness's and bungies). An added bonus to doing this is that you will have a frog which is very handy in small/tight pits.
just my two cents

[Eve]

I would go to a few practices and try different types of systems before you buy.

[cavemanjonny]

Yeah, definitely try out different systems before you commit to one or rule out another one. I'm 6'1 and 180 lb and frogging suits me wonderfully whereas I know people of the same exact build who can't frog at all, so.... You'll really have to get some practice and get the rhythm down (of any system) before you'll know for sure, imho.

[Ralph E. Powers]

I think I mentioned this before but I'm a "poor-man's caver" and right now after buying one piece at a time I've enough gear (accumulated over the years) to outfit three people with individual frog systems...

But if money is tight... I see no reason to put things on layaway (if possible) or buying one piece of necessary gear every paycheck or every-other paycheck. Some folks have extra gear to loan out if they see you are buying pieces at a time because of limited budget.

I've been called upon on several occasions to help folks buy their complete caving outfit (vertical and horizontal needs) all in one shot. Makes me wonder why the store-owner of one particular shop that caters to cavers) who usually was present during these $600-$800 one day/same customer sales don't offer me a job or say yeah when I've asked for one... oh well...

[filox1]

I also will recommend you to start with a frog.

is easier to learn, better if you have to do rebelays, and lips and cheaper.


Cheers.