Japanese ninja style tree spikes

Stihlmadd

Stihlmadd

Been here a while
Location
Adelaide South Australia
saw a video a while back of a japanese climber taking out a massive stem and seemed to scurry around without spikes - wonder if these were what he was using?
any ways the discussion has come up now and then on different styles of gaffs so have a gander at these
 
I think my ankles wouldn't appreciate getting torqued and twisted.
The actual climbing portion of the video was uninspiring.
 
I haven't tried them but have seen them used up close. For stems you can really move quick up and down and has a surprisingly low impact on the tree. Once in the crown they are removed.
 
The longer spikes on the outside contact the tree underneath your foot, making a four pronged platform to stand on.. it's easier to see in this video.. but there's no "torquing action" just standing on the plate, I'm gonna try to find a set of these for sure, my knees need a break.
 
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Drewtree; really appreciate it if you could post a vid review on these if you try them - just really curious - enjoy!
 
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Treespotter said:
Next time that you're on spurs don't incorporate the standing part of the frame into your foot strap. Go only around your boot.
After so many years on spurs I wasn't able to stand on spurs any longer than 15 minutes. With this trick I can go on for hours. No sore ankles and knees any more
Click to expand...
Not quite sure what you mean, could you take a photo? I'm intrigued.
 
I think he means; don't put the strap over the part of the shank that goes up to the pad. rather pass the strap in-between the shank and ankle so it is just around the ankle. Do I have it correctly Treespotter?
 
Treespotter said:
Next time that you're on spurs don't incorporate the standing part of the frame into your foot strap. Go only around your boot.
After so many years on spurs I wasn't able to stand on spurs any longer than 15 minutes. With this trick I can go on for hours. No sore ankles and knees any more
Click to expand...
Hi Treespotter, I can visualise what you mean, did leaving the gaff out give you more ankle flexibility? I imagine this would have knock on effects to knees, hips. shoulders etc? I spend most of my time in spurs and try to mix the boot and rigging combo. These last 2 weeks I have used a soft sole boot with velcro strap on the spur and found it quite flexible and comfortable, I felt an intuitive connection to my ankle and toe.
 
JeffGu said:
I bet those are a real joy on a limbwalk... or anything but a vertical spar... would love to play with a set, though.
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After watching the second video, I think they might cure any inclination to walk pigeon-toed. Overall feeling of ambivalence towards these things is unchanged.
 
I can't see carrying all the load on your ankles, especially at awkward angles. I'd happily try them out, just to give them the benefit of the doubt, but don't think I'd buy them just to find out they are even more miserable than the ones we're used to. I can't even imagine the injuries you could sustain from those things if you screw up. Not that any climbers are devoid of the chance, it just seems to me that getting stabbed once isn't as scary as getting mauled by a bear. Some wicked looking claws on those.
 
SoftBankHawks said:
...I can visualise what you mean, did leaving the gaff out give you more ankle flexibility?...
Click to expand...
Yes, that's it. Because my foot and ankle were too firmly fixed in one position all my body weight was pressing my knees and ankle in an intolerable position. Now that my foot can move more freely the pain in the ankle and especially the knees has gone. Or at least I can stay on the metal longer than I used to.
 
Well I have been using Treespotter's tip with my geckoes & I am really liking it. With my Geckoes it really frees up the movement in my ankles. I did not notice any problems with the climbers getting out of position either. I can go on a limb walk and almost can forget that I have them on. Thanks for that tip!
 
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