Climbing a leaner...

[DeanBrown3D]

Sorry I am new to this but I just wanted to know (from you guys who climb with gaffs) is it better to climb on the top side or the underside of a (slight) leaner? Tree I need to tackle is 15" wide at shoulder height, sweet gum, and it needs to come down.

Thanks!

Dean

 

[kkottemann]

Climb the opposite side of the lean (top side in you case).

 

[Fireaxman]

Climbing spikes (Takedown only), KK is absolutely right. You have to stay on top of the lean. Climbing ropes (takedown or pruning) you can climb very comfortably under the lean. Set your climbing line above your target. On a moderate leaner, use your flipline to hold you close to the trunk for body thrusting or just to "Walk" up the trunk as you pull yourself up with the climbing line. On severe leaners, pull yourself up with a dynamic climbing system or get your groundie to pull you up. SRT, use ascenders.

 

[Koa Man]

Climbing top side is a lot easier than the bottom side on any lean, very mild to very severe. This as been my experience from climbing more than 10,000 palms with leans of various degrees.

 

[beowulf343]

Definitely top side. If you are just using spikes and are not on a rope, it is hard staying on a tree when you are under the lean.

 

[pbtree]

Top side works for me...

 

[Jim1NZ]

I agree top side, you may find a tendency to fall around to the underside simply due to gravity so just take you time.

 

[1CallLandscape]

top side, its easyier to to keep the spikes in and not slipping out.

 

[fmueller]

Yeah what they said, and if your gonna make a cut or start piecing it down take small pieces at first so you don't get slingshot off the tree like I did once.