Hi all,

My frog rig is a traditional set up with a single foot loop. I usually take my free foot and place it on top of the other foot that is in the loop. Effectively I'm using both feet to step up. It works pretty well but can be quite a bit of work on longer ascents.

A friend of mine has a Pantin that I have been wanting to try. About a week ago I got got the opportunity to add a Petzl Pantin to my frog setup for an ascent of about 80 to 100 feet. Most of the ascent was up against the rock face with the remainder being free hang. I was surprised how much easier the whole ascent seemed. I could use both feet to step up without having to have one on top of the other.

Oh yeah, if you decide to purchase one, be sure to buy the foot opposite of your foot loop. The one I tried was for the right foot so I used my left foot in the foot loop. No big deal except it took a bit of practice to lift my right hand with the ascender while lifting my left foot along with it.

My next gear purchase is definitely going to be a Pantin.

Stay safe,
Abby Normal

I'm still pretty new to vertical gear and don't know much outside of the basic frog system and my microrack. If your concern is having your feet on top of each other why not just use a bigger foot loop or a double foot loop? I've never heard of the Pantin, but it seems like an interesting piece of equipment. Is it hard to use when you're closer to the ground and there's not much weight under you? I can see how it would make things easier, particularly when you're not free hanging, but I also don't really like the idea of an extra separate piece of gear I'd have to take off. Maybe it's worth it though.

Posted by DawnPatrol I'm still pretty new to vertical gear and don't know much outside of the basic frog system and my microrack. If your concern is having your feet on top of each other why not just use a bigger foot loop or a double foot loop? I've never heard of the Pantin, but it seems like an interesting piece of equipment. Is it hard to use when you're closer to the ground and there's not much weight under you? I can see how it would make things easier, particularly when you're not free hanging, but I also don't really like the idea of an extra separate piece of gear I'd have to take off. Maybe it's worth it though.

I had messed around with a double foot loop. What I found with the Pantin is that I could keep my feet slightly apart when up against the shaft wall, allowing me to keep better balance and stability. It also seemed a bit easier to ascend but I'm not sure if that is because of the extra ascender or that I've been working out at the gym.

Really sorry I missed the gathering in Tecopa. A whole bunch of things piled up to keep me from attending, the worst of which was blowing up the engine in my diesel truck. You, me, and the big guy need to get together in the not too distant future. Would love to meet you in person and see Therrin again.

Abby Normal

I cheated and used a Petzl Croll that was more or less corded to my foot. It worked functionally well enough, but ended up just being a hassle. They are pretty much the same device anyway.

Posted by Abby Normal I had messed around with a double foot loop. What I found with the Pantin is that I could keep my feet slightly apart when up against the shaft wall, allowing me to keep better balance and stability. It also seemed a bit easier to ascend but I'm not sure if that is because of the extra ascender or that I've been working out at the gym. Really sorry I missed the gathering in Tecopa. A whole bunch of things piled up to keep me from attending, the worst of which was blowing up the engine in my diesel truck. You, me, and the big guy need to get together in the not too distant future. Would love to meet you in person and see Therrin again. Abby Normal

That's one benefit I was thinking might come out of it. Especially being new to ropework and not having developed and real solid techniques, I find ascending in anything other than an open drop to be a COMPLETE pain in the ass. I struggle quite a bit with the foot loop in that position and I can see how just being connected directly to the rope on your foot might improve stability.

Yeah, it sounds like we weren't the only ones who missed you. Everyone had wonderful things to say about you! I'll talk to Therrin and see if we can schedule something sometime soon. I'd really like to meet you as well. Sorry to hear about your troubles, hope everything is getting sorted out.

Seen the Petzl Pantin in use by some stage high riggers. It's the balls.