Lumberjack Climb (ランバージャッククライム) is a First Stage obstacle that was first introduced in SASUKE 30 to replace Rope Ladder, which had been the final obstacle of First Stage since SASUKE 18.
Like Rope Ladder previously, this obstacle does not use Tarzan Rope to traverse the obstacle. Instead, competitors must land on a floating mat from Tarzan Rope, before using their hands and feet in a similar fashion to Spider Flip to climb a plank that was 5.4 meters (17.72 feet) tall and 45cm (17.72 inches) wide, though it was shown in broadcast as 6 meters (19.69 feet).
Yamamoto Hiroshige attempting Lumberjack Climb in SASUKE 30
Once the competitor is on the obstacle, the starting platform is pulled away, similar to the starting platform of all Salmon Ladder versions in Second Stage, meaning if competitors fell from the plank, they wouldn't be able to recover, as happened to Darvish Kenji in SASUKE 30 and SASUKE 33.
Much like Rope Ladder, this obstacle acted more as a time waster, as most competitors failed here by timing out. However, with the introduction of Dragon Glider in SASUKE 35, due to space constraints, the obstacle was indirectly removed, with Soritatsu Kabe being pushed to its spot.
Other Appearances[]
SASUKE Vietnam[]
SASUKE Vietnam 4's Lumberjack Climb
The Lumberjack Climb, locally called Tiều Phu Về Đích (literally Finisher Lumberjack) appeared as the final obstacle during Stage 1B in SASUKE Vietnam 1, SASUKE Vietnam 3, SASUKE Vietnam 4, and SASUKE Vietnam 5, and Stage 1A in SASUKE Vietnam 2. However, unlike in SASUKE, competitors would be disqualified if they touched the beam behind the plank. This was the reason why, on the later seasons of SASUKE Vietnam, there was a white board hiding the top part of the structure to avoid competitors from touching it, similar to the Spider Flip in SASUKE 23.
Ninja Warrior Turkey[]
Ninja Warrior Turkey's Lumberjack Climb
In Ninja Warrior Turkey, the Lumberjack Climb appeared as the fifth and final obstacle in Finals' Stage Two. However, unlike SASUKE and SASUKE Vietnam, the height of the plank was much shorter. Also, instead of a pool with one floating mat being below the obstacle, it was replaced by solid ground filled with safety mats, similar to the Cargo Climb/Cargo Net in the Semifinal/City Finals on the first four seasons of American Ninja Warrior.
Cat Grab[]
Not to be confused with the Cat Grab, an obstacle that appeared on American Ninja Warrior 6.
American Ninja Warrior: All-Stars Spectacular's Cat Grab
On American Ninja Warrior: All Star Spectacular, a supersized fusion version of the Lumberjack Climb and Spider Flip, called Cat Grab, appeared as an event of the specials, which took place at the Stage Four tower, replacing the Mega Spider Climb from the previous three tournaments. The Cat Grab later appeared in American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 3 and American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 4 as the only obstacle in Round Three.
The event involved competitors using their hands and feet in a similar fashion to the Lumberjack Climb to climb a series of planks while doing a Spider Flip transition in between. As a side note, this obstacle made its first unofficial appearance during the season finale of American Ninja Warrior 13 behind the Rope Climb.
There were three heats in this competition, with two competitors in each heat. In each of the first two heats, the competitor who reached the top of the tower (or made the highest) in the fastest time moved on to the final heat. In the final heat, the competitor who reached the top of the tower (or made the highest) in the fastest time was the champion. There was no time limit in this competition.
A hidden rule for this obstacle was revealed by Addy Herman on Instagram where, should competitors accidentally let go of a plank, they will be kept at the same height by the safety wire that holds them. This rule came into play when she herself missed a transfer to a plank in her race against Jessie Graff in American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 4.
So far, there have been three winners:
- Josiah Pippel in American Ninja Warrior: All Star Spectacular,
- Katie Bone in American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 3, and
- Addy Herman in American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 4.
Competitor's Success Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS broadcast and external information found.
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 27 | 31 | 87.10% |
| 31 | 17 | 22 | 77.27% |
| 32 | 8 | 15 | 53.33% |
| 33 | 13 | 14 | 92.86% |
| 34 | 24 | 28 | 85.71% |
| Total | 89 | 110 | 80.91% |
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