making my first climb

[boutselis]

Ok. I have some gear. the stuff in the picture. I got it a while back to use on palms but haven't tried it yet. I am going to spike up a pine for practice (Yes it is slated to come down this winter.).

I was wondering If any one had any good tips for me. I think I may get a different lanyard. this one seems strong but I sure would prefer a cable. I have this vision of the lanyard breaking. But I also have a vision of the tree breaking and when I use a ladder to trim palms I always see the ladder snapping in two. Its just the way I think I guess.

Any way. tips would be appreciated. The only climbers I know have moved away so there is no one for me to ask here. View attachment 185851

 

[jefflovstrom]

You should have a saddle instead of a belt. Those Geckos cost more than a nice saddle.
Jeff
Where is your rope?

 

[BlackOakTreeServ]

Get rid of that belt and lanyard, I wouldnt trust em to much.
Get a saddle with leg loops.......spurs look fine though.

 

[boutselis]

I think what i call a laniard, most of you call a flip line. Off course what i have isn't a line but an adjustable belt which goes around the tree.

I stood in the tree a little while ago. It caused me to remember my bad knee which hasn't bothered me at all for years but when I spurred the tree with that leg there was a sharp pain on the inside of my knee.

Is it because of a previous problem I had with this leg or would having my foot in the improper position cause extra stress?

 

[RacerX]

Nice spurs, but unless you're climbing poles that belt combo is not good. As others have said you need a saddle and a rope if you want to get serious about tree climbing

 

[boutselis]

I really only want it for trimming palms. I will use a ladder for the first 20 feet and then go up further, if needed, with the spikes. I have been trimming palms with a ladder for almost 20 years. With the 36ft I have the highest palm I do is about 30 feet but I don't like the ladder that high because of the bounce and flex.

Thats the purpose for the spurs and belt. I doubt I have what it takes to be a real arborist. Just looking for a better way to do what i do.

 

[chad556]

You have doubts about safety and that is good. Listen to them. Those spikes look good as others have said, the other stuff? not so much.

What are your goals for climbing? DIY trimming on your own property? for friends and family? Or do you want to make a career of it?

You have the spikes already so the perfect way to ultimately outfit yourself would be with one of these kits: Complete Rope Climbing Kits for Tree Pruning & Recreational Tree Climbing

This will give you everything you need: climbing rope, saddle/harness, throwline and weights, lanyard, carabiners, and a couple of useful gadgets along with a very useful handbook on treework and climbing by Jeff Jepson that will show you exactly how to use everything (Be sure to read the authors forward, where he tells how he fell 40' and almost died using a similar setup to the one you currently have).

I know its expensive but if you want to get this kind of work done you are going to have to pay, better to pay with the credit card than your life. And hey, if this isn't a long term thing you can always sell your gear on ebay when you are done with it. I cannot stress enough how important it is to invest in good gear. The convenience of having comfortable, easy to use gear that gives you a feeling of security is easily worth double what you pay for it.

One last thing, if you are working up in the tree don't forget your Helmet, eye protection, hearing protection, and chaps(leg protection)

 

[boutselis]

Nice spurs, but unless you're climbing poles that belt combo is not good. As others have said you need a saddle and a rope if you want to get serious about tree climbing

I just caught this post. A palm tree is about as much like a pole as you can get as far as trees go.

 

[ozzy42]

That adjustable belt strap is actually not too bad as a SECOND tie in for doing palms.

They are a bit harder to cut than a regular rope lanyard.That is a benefit when reaching to cut boots on the back side.

But as others have said,you need a regular saddle and a climbline ,or at least a second lanyard.

I have trimmed thousands of palms and they are one of the highest risk of cutting your lanyard than any other tree.

Tie in Twice.We want to hear FROM you,not ABOUT you.

 

[boutselis]

That adjustable belt strap is actually not too bad as a SECOND tie in for doing palms.

They are a bit harder to cut than a regular rope lanyard.That is a benefit when reaching to cut boots on the back side.

But as others have said,you need a regular saddle and a climbline ,or at least a second lanyard.

I have trimmed thousands of palms and they are one of the highest risk of cutting your lanyard than any other tree.

Tie in Twice.We want to hear FROM you,not ABOUT you.

"tie in twice" thats good. thanks.

When your cutting boots do you reach around or do you move your body to the other side of the tree?

 

[bomar]

you wana trade those spikes i have a alot better buckingham saddle and 2 buckingham fliplines and buckingham spurs and i have a climb line i will trade straight across that way you will still have spikes and all the right and safe stuff you need to start climbing safely pm me if your intrested i will send some pics

 

[boutselis]

you wana trade those spikes i have a alot better buckingham saddle and flipline and buckingham spurs i will trade straight across that way you will still have spikes and all the right and safe stuff you need to start climbing safely

I'll think about it. The guy I got them from said they were good. I got my first compliment on them before I got into my truck that day.

I guess I got a pretty good deal. $130 for the spikes and the belt.

 

[bomar]

ya thats not bad i paid 170 for my buckingham spikes and they are still brand new and $50 for the pads and straps its a killer deal man

 

[boutselis]

ya thats not bad i paid 170 for my buckingham spikes and they are still brand new and $50 for the pads and straps its a killer deal man

The guy I got them from was getting out of the business and pawned them. he told me he would get them out for me if I paid the check and gave him $10. otherwise the pawn shop would have sold them.
He's back in school now with no plan to get back into trees.

 

[imagineero]

You've had pretty good advice from other posters here, I'm going to take a slightly contrary stance and say that you don't really need a saddle and rope. They are nice to have, for sure... and add an extra element of safety - especially if you need to make a quick descent from the tree after hurting yourself, getting attacked by bees etc. But if all you are going to do is your own palms, and you have a ladder, then a second lanyard will see you set.

Have one of your lanyards as per normal - round the tree and back to the belt, and the other round the tree in a full loop and back to your belt. The 'full wrap' lanyard will slow you down, but it will slow you down when you gaff out too ;-)

Good spiking technique is what it's all about. For people knew to rope work and new to tree work this is harder than it sounds. In essence you want to keep your upper body at least a foot out from the trunk, or even more. Adjusting your lanyard to put you furhter out from the trunk puts more strain on your belt, but reduces the chances of your gaffs skidding out. Find yourself gaffing out often? lean out more! The bigger angle will push your gaffs much more into the trunk. Try to keep your lanyards as close to waist level as possible at all times. Good lanyard flipping technique comes with practice, watching others, and you tube videos ;-)

When you get to the top and are ready to work, you can gaff in deep and hard, then pull yourself in so you are comfortably standing 'up'. For myself, I tend to move around the crown in a circle, especially for phoenix, washingtonia and cabbage palms, a bit less so for cocos and less again for bangalows. Don't go swinging a saw where you can't see it!

The way down is where a lot come unstuck, mainly from trying to keep too close into the tree. I recommend keeping your upper body a foot or two out from the trunk, lean back far in your lanyard and keep both hands on the lanyard! Step one foot down and firmly plant it at a good angle to the trunk (into the same gaff holes you made on the way up if you're keen), then the other leg down in the same way. Now your lanyard is too high and your angle to the tree is too steep. lean in *just a little* to take tension off the lanyard and flip it down and lean out again. Then repeat all the way back to ladder/ground.

A rope plus a prussik or descender will give you a quick emergency descent, or prevent you having to gaff down which is something that some guys have trouble with.

Best of luck!
Shaun

 

[boutselis]

Are these spikes to long for something like palms? They are going in real deep into the pine. Its hard to get them out some times and I'm not rally stabbing them in. Maybe its my weight. I'm about 240.

Another problem I'm having is that the cuff of the spikes is digging into the inside of my calf. Is that just something I have to get used to or am I set up wrong?

 

[ozzy42]

"tie in twice" thats good. thanks.

When your cutting boots do you reach around or do you move your body to the other side of the tree?

Depends on the tree.Sometimes I can get the whole thing from one position.Other times I will rotate about 1/4 the way around,usually to the left,but I am tied in around the center fronds with a line and my lanyard low while doing the boots at the wide spot of the crown,and then flip the lanyard up to cut the ones that are low where the crown meets the trunk.
I try to not gaff in more than 2 o 3 places,especially on queens.

I really hate trimming palms with a passion ,but it does pay the bills and often leads to other work that is more profitable.
Got 60 plus to do in a trailer park Friday.
Screw the ladder,screw the spikes,I'm getting a 45ft jlg.Leave the boom up and drive from one tree to the other.

 

[jefflovstrom]

You know you can climb the palm SRT, use the the search and and come back.
Jeff :msp_smile:

 

[no tree to big]

Are these spikes to long for something like palms? They are going in real deep into the pine. Its hard to get them out some times and I'm not rally stabbing them in. Maybe its my weight. I'm about 240.

Another problem I'm having is that the cuff of the spikes is digging into the inside of my calf. Is that just something I have to get used to or am I set up wrong?

I have those same spikes I don't think I have ever had any issues with them digging into the back of my calf. do you have big calves? if worn on the wrong feet they will dig in...maybe a pic of them on your leg will help us to determine the issue?

 

[boutselis]

I have those same spikes I don't think I have ever had any issues with them digging into the back of my calf. do you have big calves? if worn on the wrong feet they will dig in...maybe a pic of them on your leg will help us to determine the issue?

I have been told that i do. I never really compared them to anything though.