What is Crab Walking Up a Wall?

Crab walking up a wall refers to a unique way of climbing up vertical surfaces by using all four limbs in a crab-like fashion. This technique has recently gained attention after footage emerged of an escaped prisoner using it to break out of jail

Understanding Crab Walking

The crab walk motion allows a person to ascend a wall without much foothold. It involves placing the hands on one wall and the feet on the opposite wall, forming a bridging position between the two surfaces. The person then alternately moves their hands and feet up the walls incrementally mimicking the sideways scuttling motion of a crab. This enables them to scale up smooth vertical planes that would otherwise be very difficult or impossible to climb.

Crab walking requires significant upper body strength and dexterity to maintain balance and footing while suspended horizontally between two walls. Excellent grip strength in both the hands and feet is also needed to push and pinch steadily upwards without sliding down. The core muscles must be engaged to keep the body stabilized in the awkward pose. Flexibility in the limbs and torso helps with stretching across the gap between walls as well as reaching upwards comfortably.

Though challenging, the crab walk technique allows climbers to scale verticle surfaces and obstacles much taller than themselves with relatively small footholds available. This makes it an invaluable skill for certain sports, professions and illicit activities.

Uses and Applications

Crab walking has a number of niche uses and applications:

• Rock climbing and bouldering: Skilled climbers sometimes crab walk up slabs or cracks in rock faces where thin horizontal crevices provide hand and toe holds on opposite sides. This allows them to climb challenging routes and heights not otherwise possible.

• Parkour: Traceurs and free-runners use crab walking to quickly scale high walls, fences and other urban obstacles during stunts and performances. It is an impressive parkour move that utilizes urban architecture in new ways.

• Military training: Crab walking is practiced by special forces and tactical units to improve climbing capacity while keeping a low profile close to structures. It helps soldiers overcome tall obstacles and gain elevated ground during operations.

• Firefighter training: Fire departments train recruits in crab walking to improve ability to climb up buildings and tight spaces in emergency situations. It builds critical climbing skills and strength for rescue operations.

• Prison escapes: As highlighted recently, crab walking has been used in some daring prison breaks to scale walls, evade guards and breach security fences. The technique allows inmates to exploit tiny structural weaknesses that would not otherwise enable escape.

The Pennsylvania Prison Escape

A high-profile example demonstrating the use of crab walking was the escape of convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante from Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania on August 31, 2022.

Surveillance footage showed Cavalcante crab walking up two adjacent prison yard walls in a narrow corridor between them. He placed his hands on one wall and feet on the opposite wall, inching upwards in a bridging stance. This allowed him to scale up and over the walls despite added security razor wire.

Cavalcante escaped the exact same way earlier in May 2022 another inmate, Igor Bolte, broke out of the same facility. Despite added razor wire after the first escape, the crab walk technique enabled Cavalcante to breach the prison’s defenses once more.

The dramatic prison break led to a week-long manhunt across the region. It highlighted that skilled crab walking could exploit weaknesses in prison security since vertical walls are still vulnerable even with topped razor wire. Many jails are now reassessing climbing risks posed by fit inmates capable of crab walking.

Developing the Skill

Crab walking takes time, training and determination to master. Some tips for learning this skill include:

• Develop solid core strength, arm strength and flexibility through cross-training exercises like pull ups, planks, yoga etc.

• Practice crab walking movements on ground level between two objects before attempting any heights.

• Start with low walls and heights under supervision and use spotters when possible.

• Look for walls with small outcroppings, cracks or indents for fingers and toes to grab for support.

• Ascend slowly and steadily, maintaining three secure points of contact at all times.

• Don’t rush and stay focused – fatigue or lost concentration can lead to serious falls.

• Rest and shakeout arms frequently to avoid muscle failure and cramps.

With training almost anyone can become adept at basic crab walking between walls and up low obstacles. But mastering the technique well enough to scale very high or insecure surfaces takes immense specialized skill, strength and nerve. Most people would never need or attempt this due to the high risk and physical demands involved.

Safety and Precautions

When done properly with adequate care and training, crab walking can be practiced safely by fit individuals. However, the risk of falls makes safety an absolute priority:

• Always use spotters and crash pads when first attempting crab walks at any height.

• Know your limits and build up height and difficulty gradually over time.

• Avoid slippery surfaces and never attempt in wet conditions. Chalk hands and feet when needed.

• Look out for security fixtures like barbed or razor wire that can snag clothing and skin.

• Practice good technique – incorrect body position risks falls. Keep centered and use proper footwork.

• Rest adequately between attempts to avoid fatigue, cramping or sloppy technique.

• Remain highly alert to hazards – a fall from any significant height can lead to severe injury.

Crab walking should only be learned responsibly through proper training channels. Attempting dangerous climbs without adequate skill exposes one to unacceptable risk of harm. Mastery takes immense practice.