Just underneath the 3rd rung so there's room for your boots

[KevM]

The inimitable Fred Dibnah shows how to ladder a chimney - sweaty palms guaranteed! Toward the end of the 2nd part where he's grinning over his shoulder and saying the brickwork sounds a bit hollow is quite mesmerising.

 

[mickthetree]

I was feeling giddy when he started the first ladder!!

 

[rafezetter]

this is amazing too - the bit where he gets to the main overhang is just... heartstopping. :shock:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3-YwDZrzg

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I wonder why they don't just cement eyes in and leave them there? It seems to make work for no reason.

 

[KevM]

this is amazing too - the bit where he gets to the main overhang is just... heartstopping. :shock:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3-YwDZrzg

I hadn't actually got around to watching that clip - I used to climb a lot to quite a high standard (the older I get the better I was!) on vertical and overhanging sea cliffs, together with some major mountain routes, so I'm comfortable with heights and the sense of exposure that comes from verticality - but those shots turn my stomach to water.

I wonder why they don't just cement eyes in and leave them there? It seems to make work for no reason.

I guess if there's a 10 year period between visits you might not be keen on trusting the last chap's work? Even if it's your own, would the wooden pegs hold those dogs tight for 10 years on exposed structures? Also, if you charge by the day where's the incentive to make the job any quicker?

I'm going to go and have a lie down now - I've been thinking about chimneys and overhanging ladders too much!

 

[gregmcateer]

Wow. He had big cajunas, did Fred

 

[SammyQ]

Kev? Fancy a nice E3 before tea? Fair Head has a couple of real ball tighteners that just make me want to run home and pick up a good book

Sam

 

[Higon]

Wow. He had big cajunas, did Fred

yep, and they were probably titanium!

Is it really 10 years ago he died? Sadly missed.
http://www.freddibnahheritagecentre.com

 

[Woodmonkey]

What a legend. Hope I can still climb like that when I'm 50

 

[RogerP]

Well I'm past 70 and still climb up to maintain the aerials on my roof (I'm a radio amateur)......














........... but it is a bungalow!

 

[KevM]

Kev? Fancy a nice E3 before tea? Fair Head has a couple of real ball tighteners that just make me want to run home and pick up a good book

Sam

I spent a cracking week with some friends in the Ballycastle area in the early '90s climbing and diving, Hell's Kitchen sticks in my head as a classic route. After a few successful days I was goaded/flattered into trying my luck on an "easy" E3 - I needed more than a little bit of assistance from the gear and a tight rope to save my dignity - Happy Days!

 

[ChrisR]

Never minded heights, used to shin up 80 foot TV reception masts (four by twenty foot scaffold poles stacked) to connect a supply to the mast head amplifiers. But that was many moons ago.

Roger P, I am now unable to climb any more due to (MS), but in my mind I can still do it, (G8SCY). :wink:

Chris R.

 

[RogerP]

.........
Roger P, I am now unable to climb any more due to (MS), but in my mind I can still do it, (G8SCY). :wink:
Chris R.

Sorry to hear that Chris

I used have a good enough head for heights but as the years have rolled by the height I'm comfortable at seems to have gradually decreased.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Well I'm past 70 and still climb up to maintain the aerials on my roof (I'm a radio amateur)...
... but it is a bungalow!

Careful. That did for Rod Hull, sadly.