Sliding down the backstay

[Kanook]

My brother was Chief Petty Officer on the Pathfinder (Brigantine) back in the 1970’s on the Great Lakes. It was, until 2017, a sailing camp for teens to get real experience on an old sailing ship. They regularly slid down the steel shrouds using their feet wrapped around the shroud and controlling the tension by applying pressure to the sole and side of the foot. It left a substantial groove in the bottom of their topsiders. They did this hands free. It was impressive to watch how agile they were climbing around the rigging like monkeys.

[ArmySailor]

Yes you can do it. Once