How to use an Aid ladder (Beginner Question)

I am having quite a difficult time getting started with my Metolious 8-Step aid ladders. After reading Chris McNamara's How to Big Wall Climb book, I began practicing aider technique. Problem is that I Don't have an easily accessible wall available to me that is less than Vertical. I work in a rock gym and have plenty of vertical bolt ladders available to me.

So now the problem. I am having a very tough time moving up in my aiders. I feel like my toes are being crushed, and all I do is flail around.

So, how far am I supposed to place my feet in the aiders? What style of footwear should I use? How to I get my foot all the way in when the aider is pushed against the wall?

More or less, how do you get into, and move in aiders.

As I said, it is a stupid question, but I really want to aid.

Thanks.

I don't have any direct advice but wanted to give you this link:

supertopo.com/a/How-To-Big-…

Chris Mac has a whole thing on Supertopo and a lot of his articles have videos that may be helpful.

try using more supportive footware. Definately not climbing shoes.... Have space in the shoe so your toes are not crunched. I wear shoes a size, size and a half larger to have plenty of space in the toe box.

Rotate the aider to the side so you can easily get your foot in. When you stop the foot will be straight into the wall.

The metolius aiders aren't very supportive. If they are new, maybe sell them on Ebay and but a set of Yates Wall Ladders. They the way to go.

grab the top of the aider and step up! aiding can be time consuming, and cumbersome feeling at times, but you shouldn't be expecting instant success. remember you sucked at free climbing when you first started, and you'll suck at aiding when you start as well. its really about just getting out there sacrificing good free climbing days to aid climb. repetition, concentration, and fluency in your systems will get you where you want to be.

If I don't get fully into the aider with my feet, should I fifi in? When I get my full foot in, I almost always feel bomber. My biggest problem is getting my foot into the aiders on the higher steps (Like where my waist is at the pro.) I just can't put my foot in far enough because of the space between the aider and wall.

Thanks again everyone for the input.

Check out Chris Macnamara's how to videos, they'll teach/show you how to do what you're looking for

youtube.com/user/ChrisMcNam…

Joseph D'Agostino wrote:If I don't get fully into the aider with my feet, should I fifi in? When I get my full foot in, I almost always feel bomber. My biggest problem is getting my foot into the aiders on the higher steps (Like where my waist is at the pro.) I just can't put my foot in far enough because of the space between the aider and wall. Thanks again everyone for the input.

Sometimes it helps to grab the foot loop with your hand and pull it away from the rock and kind of hold it open while you place your foot in it. I think you can see Chris Mac doing this on one of his videos.