Fibrelight Rope Ladder

[Ceejay]

Hi All

I'm looking to purchase one of these. Does anyone have any experience of using them?
Any feedback would be welcome before I decide to go ahead.

Many thanks

CJ

 

[Gin]

These look similar in design to caving ladders which was recommended to me by a climber.

I was fortunate to be able to borrow one and I have to say it was the most exhausting and stressful experience I've ever had where I have been entirely dependent on my technique(non-existent) and upper body strength (much the same). I never made it to the masthead through a mixture of fear and exhaustion.

I quickly concluded that it wasn't for me and I bought a Deffee ladder- very expensive but much more stable and in comparison a piece of cake. Have visited the masthead several times and well within my modest abilities.

Free hanging ladders are for experts in my opinion

 

[Ceejay]

Thanks for that comprehensive reply Gin. Sounds as though the product may not be for me either, probably at least 20 years too late!
I guess that if the bottom of the ladder was secured and tensioned to strong points, well apart then it might be easier to become accustomed to, but even then probably best left to a circus acrobat.
Cheers again.
CJ

 

[Gin]

I have damaged shoulder tendons, weigh 12 stone and no technique.

I found even with securing the foot of the ladder, and tensioning it, AND using the technique of one foot around the back of the ladder placing a heel on the rung so as to try to centralise my weight I still found that the ladder would be pushed away from me, my bum would stick out and my centre of gravity therefore would be hanging over the void, not my feet, thus placing my whole weight on my arms- for me a very dangerous situation.

The Deffee ladder, (no connection with the manufacturers) whilst still needing some strength to climb as it is unnaturally vertical unlike a ladder against a wall for instance, is stable as it sits in the mast track and therefore much easier to keep one's weight over the feet.

Other devices which rely on webbing loops, I am told, constrict the feet and if not wearing a hard boot then a painful climb ensues. also it is tricky to slip a foot into a loop of webbing unless there is some form of 'rung' to keep said loop open for each step.

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

I have to agree with Gin. I have one & even with many years experience hopping up & down pilot ladders at sea it is a bit of an effort, and with pension now being drawn it is only there for emergencies. I have fitted 4 mast track sliders to the centre of some of the rungs to centralise it & (hopefully) stop it bellying out away from me & after fastening to boom gooseneck I hoist it on the main halyard & winch it tight and it still takes a hell of an effort, 90% of which is hands & arms.
Best things that I have seen are fixed mast steps, not the folding variety but the fixed, with a horizontal rung & a diagonal upward brace. They are brilliant, but of course very not cheap, and permanent as well. You pays yer money I guess, but if you was to go with a fibrelight ladder I would invest in either a personal trainer to develop upper body strength, or train a chimpanzee to fix the windex (or whatever)
Best of luck whichever you decide.
Cheers
Mike