ORGT Intermediate Instructions

Instructions for using The Frog System

Introduction:

The Frog system is one of three climbing systems available through ORGT (the other two are prusik knots and ropewalker). It is a moderately efficient system, requiring less effort than knots but more effort than ropewalker. It requires fewer parts then ropewalker, making it much lighter and simpler. It also is the quickest system for getting on and off rope, and allows for extremely easy changeovers. For these reasons, it is the most popular system with ORGT cavers, except for long drops where ropewalker is better.

This system has two principle components. One is a Petzl Ascension with two loops, one to connect it to the seat harness and another to act as a foot loop. The other is a Petzl Croll, which attaches to the seat harness, and is held close to the body by a chest harness.

All the graphics on this page are links to a larger copy of the same picture, so if you are having trouble seeing something, just click for a better view.

Finally, a Warning: Climbing, like all caving, can be extremely dangerous without proper equipment and training. This page is intended as an introduction to the system for students in the ORGT caving program ONLY. This program includes hands-on training by knowledgable people. We are in no way responsible for the use of the information on these pages without this additional training.

Above: DJ Ryan ascending Cemetary Pit on a Frog system.

Required Items:

To use the frog system, you will need the following:

A Croll (the chest harness is attached, ORGT has two types of chest harnesses: the torse, and the huit torse)
An Ascension with a foot loop and a loop to connect it to the seat harness.
A Seat Harness (not shown)
A Safety (a Petzl Ascension or a Jumar, not shown)

Note: These are the parts for the climbing system only, other items like rappel racks, lights, and helmets would also be necessary for a trip.

Figure 1: Parts of the Frog System

Fitting the Ascension:

In order to make the frog system as efficient as possible, proper sizing of the Ascension is important. The ascension has two loops: One long loop that acts as a foot loop to stand in, and a second, called a cow tail, which attaches the ascender to your seat harness. Once you have the seat harness and Croll on, attach the quicklink on the cow tail to the D-ring on your seat harness. Place both feet in the footloop. First, both feet should comfortably fit in the footloop. Second, when you stand straight up, the ascender should sit directly above the Croll, as shown (Fig 2).

Figure 2: Fitting the Ascension

Putting on the System

Notes: These instructions require basic knots, like the girth hitch, that are normally taught in the beginner classes. If you are having difficulty remembering how to tie these knots, ask an instructor to give you a quick refresher course. Also, remember, whenever there is a buckle on anything, double back the webbing.

1) Begin by putting on the seat harness, and adjusting it so that it is snug.

2) Release the D-ring on the front of the harness.

3) Slide the Croll onto the D-ring using the hole at the bottom, and relock the D-ring. When properly placed, the croll should lay flat against your stomach without being forced (Fig 3). If it doesn't seem to sit correctly, remove it, rotate it and try again.

4) Once the Croll is placed on the D-ring, the chest harness attached to the top of the Croll must be put on. ORGT has two different chest harnesses.

The Torse: This chest harness is simpler, but some people find it unconfortable. It consists of a loop attached to the Croll. The loop has a piece of webbing coming off it with a buckle on the end. Place your head through the loop, with the webbing running down your back and the sides of the loop resting on your shoulders. Reach back and clip the buckle on the webbing around the back webbing of your seat harness. Pull on the tail of the loop to tighten. (Figs. 4 & 5)
The Huit Torse: This is more complicated to describe. There is a loop attached to the Croll by a small triangle link, then two tails off the loop. One of the tails is free, while the other has a buckle on it. Place your head through the loop, with the sides of the loop resting on your shoulders. Reach behind you and pull the tails around your sides to the front. Pass the free tail through the triangle link, and then through the buckle on the other tail. Pull it tight. (Figs. 6 & 7)

5) Girth hitch the safety to the seat harness D-ring, on the left side of the Croll (Fig. 8). Note: When attaching items to the D-ring, always attach them to the round side of the ring.

6) Find the Ascention, and attach the cowtail to the D-ring using the quicklink (Fig. 8). Note: When attaching items to the D-ring, always attach them to the round side of the ring.

7) Make sure the D-ring and the quicklink are screwed shut.

Fig. 3: Properly Seated Croll
Note: The D-ring should ALWAYS be locked prior to climbing.

Fig. 4: Torse harness: front.

Fig. 5: Torse harness: back.

Fig. 6: Huit Torse harness: front

Fig. 7: Huit Torse harness: back

Fig. 8: Everything attached to D-ring

Ascending:

Now that you have got the climbing system on, it is time to climb. First, double check everything: buckles doubled back, biners and D-rings locked, and knots properly tied.

Clip the the Ascension and Croll onto the rope. Take the stretch out of the rope by pulling down on the rope below the croll, this will make it easier to get started. Sit down in the seat harness. Slide the Ascention up to the limit of the cowtail.

Place the rope so that it lays over the side of one of your legs, and untangle the footloop. Place both feet into the footloop, and place the rope between your feet. To make sure that the rope slides through the croll, you're going to use your feet to grip the rope when you step up.

Grip the rope with your feet, pull your feet as far under your center of gravity as possible, and stand up. If the rope doesn't slide through the Croll well, you need to press harder with your feet and stand up again. Now, sit back down in the seat harness, release your feet, and slide the ascender up.

Grip the rope with your feet, pull your feet under you, and stand up again. Repeat until you're at the top.

Fig. 9: Gripping the rope with your feet.

Fig. 10: Sitting in the harness, preparing to stand

Fig. 11: Standing in the foot loop