_The Upright Pole._
The upright pole should be about two inches and a half in diameter,
perfectly smooth and free from splinters.
The position of the climber is shown in Plate XVIII. fig. 1, where
nothing touches the pole except the feet, legs, knees, and hands. He
grasps as high as possible with both hands, raises himself by bending
the body and drawing his legs up the pole, holds fast by them, extends
the body, again grasps higher up with his hands, and continues the same
use of the legs and arms. The descent is performed by sliding down with
the legs, and scarcely touching with the hands, as in Plate XVIII. fig.
2.
_The Mast._
This is more difficult, as it cannot be grasped with the hands; and it
consequently should not be practised until the climber is expert in the
previous exercises. The position of the legs is the same as for the
pole; but, instead of grasping the mast, the climber lays hold of his
left arm with his right hand, or the reverse, and clings to the mast
with the whole body, as in Plate XVIII. fig. 3.
_The Slant Pole._
This must be at least three inches thick; and as, in this exercise, the
hands bear more of the weight than in climbing the upright pole, it
should not be attempted until expertness in the other is acquired.
_The Horizontal, or Slightly Inclined Bar._
This may be about two inches wide at top, from ten to fifteen feet
long, and supported by two posts, respectively six and seven feet high.
The climber must grasp with both hands as high a part of the bar as he
can reach, and, with arms extended, support his own weight as long as
possible. He must next endeavour to bend the elbows so much, that one
shoulder remains close under the bar, as seen in Pl XVIII. fig. 4. Or
he may place both hands on the same side, and draw himself up so far as
to see over it, keeping the legs and feet close and extended.
He may then hang with his hands fixed on both sides, near to each
other, having the elbows much bent, the upper parts of the arms close
to the body, and one shoulder close under the bar; may lower the head
backwards, and may, at the same time, raise the feet to touch each
other over the bar.--(Pl XVIII. fig. 5.) In the last position, he may
move the hands one before the other, forward or backward, and may
either slide the feet along the bar, or alternately change them like
the hands, and retain a similar hold.
Hanging also by the hands alone, as in Pl XVIII. fig. 6, he moves them
either forward or backward, keeping the arms firm, and the feet close
and extended. Or he may place himself in front of the bar, hanging by
both hands, and move laterally. Being likewise in front of the bar,
with his hands resting upon it, as in Pl XVIII. fig. 7, he may move
along the bar either to the right or left. In the position of Pl XVIII.
fig. 5, the climber may endeavour to sit upon the bar, for instance,
on the right side, by taking hold with the right knee-joint, grasping
firmly with the right hand, and bringing the left armpit over the bar.
The riding position is thus easily obtained. From the riding position,
he may, by supporting himself with one thigh, turn towards the front of
the bar, allowing the leg of the other side to hang down; and he may
then very easily move along the bar sideways, by raising his body with
his hands placed laterally on the bar.
_The Rope Ladder._
This should have several rundles to spread it out, and ought, in all
respects, to be so constructed, as not to twist and entangle. The only
difficulty here is that, as it hangs perpendicularly, and is flexible,
its steps are liable to be pushed forward, and in that case, the body
is thrown into an oblique position, and the whole weight falls on the
hands. To prevent this, the climber must keep the body stretched out
and upright.--(Plate XVIII. fig. 8.)
_The Upright Rope._
In this exercise, the securing the rope may be effected in various
ways. In the first method, shown in Pl XVIII. fig. 9, the hands and
feet alone are employed. The feet are crossed; the rope passes between
them, and is held fast by their pressure; the hands then grasp higher;
the feet are drawn up; they are again applied to the rope; and the same
process is repeated. In the second, which is the sailor’s method, shown
at Pl XVIII. fig. 10, the rope passes from the hands, generally along
the right thigh, just above the knee; winds round the inside of the
thigh, under the knee-joint, over the outside of the leg, and across
the instep, whence it hangs loose; and the climber, by treading with
the left foot upon that part of the rope where it crosses the right
one, is firmly supported. This mode of climbing requires the right
leg and foot to be so managed that the rope keeps its proper winding
whenever it is quitted by the left foot. In descending, to prevent
injury, the hands must be lowered alternately.
To rest upon the upright rope, shown in Pl XVIII. fig. 11, the climber
must swing the right foot round the rope, so as to wind it three or
four times round the leg; must turn it, by means of the left foot, once
or twice round the right one, of which the toes are to be bent upwards;
and must tread firmly with the left foot upon the last winding. Or, to
obtain a more perfect rest he may lower his hands along the rope, as
in Figure 11, hold with the right hand, stoop, grasp with the left the
part of the rope below the feet, raise it and himself again, and wind
it round his shoulders, &c., until he is firmly supported.
_The Oblique Rope._
The climber must fix himself to the rope, as in Pl XVIII. fig. 12,
and advance the hands along it, as already directed. The feet may
move along the rope alternately; or one leg, hanging over the rope,
may slide along it; or, which is best, the sole of one foot may be
laid upon the rope, and the other leg across its instep, so that the
friction is not felt.
_The Level Rope._
This may have its ends fastened to posts of equal heights; and the same
exercises may be performed upon it.
_Climbing Trees._
In attempting this exercise, the kind of the wood and strength of the
branches must be considered. Summer is the best time for practising it,
as withered branches are then most easily discerned; and even then it
is best to climb low trees, until some experience is acquired. As the
surface of branches is smooth, or moist and slippery, the hands must
never for a moment be relaxed.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]