Question on climbing spikes

[DeanBrown3D]

Apologies up front if my terminology is wrong as I've never done climbing before.

My neighbor lent me his old spiked climbers, and since I had no other equipment at all I climbed up an old gum tree about 6 feet only. It was quite fun, but I had a question. Do those spikes ever slip out or push through, once they are dug in? (For example if the bark pulls off). Or is this something that just never happens?

Thanks from a beginner!

Dean

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Yes they do.
You need to be tied into the tree so when this happens, you can get back up on your feet.
You need to tie in before you leave the ground. Most guys use a flip line around the trunk. You hold both sides of the flip line and lean back on your spikes. Then after you step up, you flip the line up, lean back and step some more.
If you spike out, which can happen quite often, you'll just get pulled against the tree and hang there, or maybe slid down a little, until you can get your spikes back in.
If you're on a thin or smooth tree (or pole), do an extra wrap around the spar so you won't just slide real fast to the bottom.

 

[TheGrasshopper]

Yes they do; I have always heard it refered to as "Gaffing/Greasing out", and it isn't fun. If you are climbing in a tree with hooks, you need to be using a saddle and a lanyard. I have only been climbing for a few months now, but last week I had an experience in a 40 foot pine with a pair of hooks. These particular hooks have been filed more than a few times, (they aren't mine, I am still shopping for my own hooks) so the points on the spikes are more of a triangle with a sharp outside point. I won't be using these hoooks again, because they are just too worn out, and the angle of the point just isn't sufficient to get a good bite into the wood while standing in a comfortable posture while climbing.
With all of that said, I get back to the point; I was about 25 feet up in the tree when I was leaning in to move my lanyard up the tree to take another few steps up. I leaned in, and both of my hooks slipped out at the same time, leaving me hanging there hugging the tree while I was working to get my hooks back into the trunk. I was left a little bit bloody, and a little bit more cautious about inspecting the gear I am climbing with, before ascending the tree.
If you have nothing to use but a pair of hooks, I would leave the trees alone. In fact, I would say that you are better off with everything but a set of hooks, because if you can avoid using your hooks to climb, you should leave them on the ground. Hooks are hard on trees, and if you use them as a crutch when they aren't necessary they won't make you a better climber. I am shopping for my own climbing gear at the moment, so I know how much of an investment it can be, but on the bright side, the hooks are a very expensive part, so if you have those, the rest is downhill.
I'm a newbie to the tree work industry, so my advice should be taken as such. Any vetrans out there have any comments for us on this one?

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

You also want to have a second line, typically a climbing line, that you can attach over a branch when you get to one. Then when you have a second line connected, you can take off the first line. That way you're always tied in.
Never be in a tree when you're not tied in.

 

[1CallLandscape]

yes they do! as everybody has said.... especialy on thick barked trees like locust and pine. i have had a few slips myself. on the thicker bark trees you should be using a longer gaff ( spike)

the general process is step up one foot at a time and flip your "flip" line up
( works best to flip after every foot or so) also you are constantly putting backward lean pressure on your flip line. make sure that you have another safety line also, especialy since you are a beginning climber. also you should be using a current saddle type harness, dont skimp on this part it is far more important than your spikes as it supports your leaning weight. i suggest buckingham as a harness . i personally have a bair of bachland spikes with klien upper leathers. i would also suggest a climbing class in your area. alot of power companys offer these for their employes and such.

good luck, have fun and be safe

-mike

 

[beowulf343]

Yeah, gaffing out can be scary as hell when it happens. (Scraped up my arms pretty good the other day on a gaff out in a black cherry.) Always make sure you are wearing a saddle with either a 2 in 1 lanyard or 2 seperate lanyards for getting around branches. Always make sure you are connected to the tree. Climbing with a safety line is never a bad idea for newbies till they get the hang of it. Double wrapping the lanyard is a good way to climb pecker poles. Keep your knees and butt out from the tree. Don't hug the tree. Take small steps while going up. Good luck.

 

[Bermie]

Yes, I've gaffed out - stood up too straight on a loose barked tree. I only had my wire core flipline on the side D's and I slid 8' to the bottom.
Now I spike with the line on the centre bridge, spare lanyard for getting over branches, wirecore for when the cutting starts, and DONT stand up too straight!

 

[pbtree]

Sorry if I missed this above, but another thing to look at is the type of climbers they are - the spikes tend to be different on pole climbers vs tree climbers...

 

[Treeman67]

Sorry if I missed this above, but another thing to look at is the type of climbers they are - the spikes tend to be different on pole climbers vs tree climbers...

i had straight gaff, i like it better for climbing on thick barked trees. i had discovered there another gaff is ain't larger than what i had and have more curve angle, i felt more comfortable than straight gaff. what i had is buckingham steel spur which are heavy compared Klien is more lighter and comfortable to climbing and i never had plm from slipping than straight gaff.
Treeman67

 

[DeanBrown3D]

Well thank you all, I appreciate all the tips, there's a lot there I didn't know about.

The tree I climbed was a dead gum tree, so I didn't mind digging holes in it, but I wouldn't do that to a tree that was not coming down.

So tell me, you want to flip the line up, so you take the strain off the flip line by leaning in towards the trees, all weight being on the spikes at that point, or are you clinching or gripping with your legs?

Dean

 

[beowulf343]

When climbing with a lanyard, on a small tree I usually just hold it in my right hand, put my left around the tree and just walk up the tree without stopping until i reach a branch. Big trees I usually keep both hands on the lanyard and don't touch the tree. As I go up I "hump" the tree flipping the lanyard up. It's all in the wrists and I keep my weight leaned back in the saddle. Everyone has different ways of doing it-find what works for you. As long as you can get to the top safely, that is all that counts.

 

[dakota]

So tell me, you want to flip the line up, so you take the strain off the flip line by leaning in towards the trees, all weight being on the spikes at that point, or are you clinching or gripping with your legs?

Dean

You're not so much gripping or clinching as you are rocking forward with the tip of the spikes as a fulcrum. Therefore, you need to make sure that the spikes (gaffs) are properly sharpened. Some guys take that pretty lightly, but I think you'll want to know exactly how the gaffs are supposed to be sharpened.

Different manufacturers have different angles and shapes for the gaff. And some climbers prefer different methods of sharpening. For instance, some like to 'duckbill' their gaffs so that they don't stick all the way in - this might be preferable if you climb many thin barked, soft trees. I like mine to be as sharp as possible at all times, no matter what.

If you're planning on taking this seriously, I would invest in some brand new equipment that hasn't been molested by someone else over the years. Some of our gear has seemingly steep prices, but when health and safety and comfort are at stake, the prices are a pittance.

 

[beowulf343]

I forgot-don't ever grip the tree with your legs. When your knees touch the tree that is a recipe for gaffing out. Just stand on your spikes.

 

[1CallLandscape]

I forgot-don't ever grip the tree with your legs. When your knees touch the tree that is a recipe for gaffing out. Just stand on your spikes.

i agree, NEVER grab the tree with your legs unless you are falling . when flipping your line up you should rock forward slightly as others have said in previous posts. wire core fliplines tend to be easier to flip than your normall ones.

Also as common sense wold say, always climb in work boots only. logging boots are the best because they dont let the spikes slip out from under your feet....VERY IMPORTANT!

-mike

 

[DeanBrown3D]

Many thanks for all the tips.

Another newbie question: Once you're up in a nice branchy tree to, are you still always tied in when removing limbs? I mean, I've done my fair share of climbing trees when I was at school/college, and I felt quite comfortable sitting there and moving around without any restraints. But then I was young and stupid. (And now I'm not young!)

Dean

 

[1CallLandscape]

Yes , Always

 

[mattmann1972]

In my company we have a 100% tie in policy. If your not on you scarestrap you are tied into a good crotch with your climp line. I said in another post, I would find a class that will teach you how to climb W/O hooks. You will be a much better man for it. I love all the new knowlage that I learn out here. Just the knots alone are worth the trip. I am always up in a tree trying new knots, seeing how the react under load.


Good luck, sounds like you have the tree bug. When you get around to climbing up a tree, hang a tree platform, and spend the night, Your transformation is compleat:monkey: !!!!!!!!!

 

[matty f]

yes all tree work should be done tied in.....some people will still free climb to achive there anchore point to work from but this is not realy an accepted practive.
Gloves are a good idea for starting out on spiking as well, if they slip out often the only thing that stops you falling is when the flip line gets jammed in the wider diameter trunk with often your hands stuck between the flip line and tree,evan worse if the trees dead and has big old barbs under the bark thats falling off in big pieces.once you have got used to putting the balance of your body through the spikes harness and flip line you should be able to walk at quite a pace up the tree or evan run! and thats good fun!

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Sharpening.

Dean, I'm not a tree climber, but I did some wooden utility pole work years ago. One thing that was touched on but not really explained was sharpening the gaff points. There's a right way and a very wrong way, and of course they do finally get to the point where they need to be replaced. Best to have someone knowledgeable SHOW you, or get some instructions with pictures. Much better than an word-only explanation. Especially if it's coming from someone who's experience is limited and 20 years or so out of date.

 

[xtremetrees]

I was taught like matty f suggest free climb to tie in point.
Thou i am approaching my 40's I still frequently do it thou try to keep it to a minimum.

Dont sharpen the outside of the spike.