Top Stepping

Hi Andy,

I am wondering if you could write a how-to for top-stepping in aiders? I’m having a hard time figuring it out on my own.

Thanks!

Nick

Hi Nick

Top stepping (getting as high as you can on the piece you’re on) is one of the harder and scarier aiding techniques - and in the case of bleak aid - also one of the most hazardous!  It also plays a part in climbing fast, as getting high on a piece comfortably allows you to place less gear, as well as gear that may be poor.

As in rock climbing, just an extra inch of height can make a big difference, and so getting comfortable moving up out of your lower steps is crucial. 

The main technique used to move up with confidence and stability is tension, achieved by having a good connection between your waist and the gear you’re hanging from.  If you use a fifi, this will be set to secure you comfortably in say the 3rd steps, being attached by a 30 cm loop.  In order to move up onto a higher step then simply pass the fifi hook through the karabiner at the top of your aiders (or the one attached to the gear) and hook it back into your belay loop, thereby shortening it. This shorter length loop (about 15cm), will allow you to step into the next steps, and create an upward pull on the gear/aider krab (one step below the fifi was pulling down).  Using your legs, core muscle, and the stretch/give of your harness you should be able to hold yourself in balance with your waist above the gear.

Of course, the danger of this technique is that fifi hook is only held in place by tension, and a lack of concentration will see you fall - not good on hard aid, or your body (a big daisy fall will hurt!).

And so on hard/speed aid, I use a system that has my fifi tied with a loop of cord, that is tied off with a small loop at the belay loop.  Into this, I clip a Petzl Spirit.  Now I can use the above technique or clip-in with the karabiner.  The 3rd option for more height is to clip the karabiner into the fifi cord itself once pasted through the gear, giving an extra few inches. 

It’s worth making a note of footwork when doing this, and the best technique is to create a stable bipod with your feet, locking your heals together while splaying out your toes.

Getting into the very top steps or even grab loops is pretty rare, and is only possible on off-angle routes, and is akin to climbing a slab. 

Some climbers use their chest harness’ to achieve more stability, and this may be a good idea on very steep ground, and probably best achieved by using a cam lock daisy, which would allow you to adjust height and tension.

When stepping high also make sure you have all the gear you need at hand, ready to place, as getting high can be very tyring, and you’ll want to plug in the gear, clip your aider/daisies into it, then climb back down to test | (don’t test when in your top steps!).

One final point, remembering that just an extra inch makes a difference, don’t overlook a placement a few inches higher than the one your one, as using this to connect your harness (aider remaining on the piece below), could be the difference between a blink crappy hook, and a bomber one.