New to climbing with spikes

Heavy bark you need long talons/spurs, and I learned on long spurs, but it can put a lot of pressure on ankles and knees until you build up to it. If no heavy bark would be easier to learn on short talons..
 
Chaplain242 said:
Heavy bark you need long talons/spurs, and I learned on long spurs, but it can put a lot of pressure on ankles and knees until you build up to it. If no heavy bark would be easier to learn on short talons..
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I don’t see any difference in pressure from long to short, I see pressure from the angle of your body to the tree and prolonged standing in the same position. Most beginners don’t k on how to relax and that puts strain in the entire body, inner thighs, outer and inner knees, back, calves and arms. You need to learn how to create good posture and control fear because it causes tension. Make the flip line your bitch! I love that quote
 
I just found it unstable and put pressure when climbing hard timber, or scarred timber when little penetration of talons occurred, and wobbling on spikes. When soft timber or heavy bark, no issue...
 
I keep one set of climbers with long, tree gaffs and the other set with either short, pole gaffs or the Euro gaffs on them.

If you're going from one of these (Siberian Elm)...

SibElm4.webp

To one of these (Silver Maple)...

silvermaple5.webp

...you would have no trouble at all understanding the difference in what works best and is easier on your legs. It all depends on the trees you're cutting. I'm happy for all the people who can get by with just one or the other, but when you can switch from one style to the other in a couple of minutes (I have velcro upper and lower straps on both sets of CF climbers) you can actually tell the difference a lot easier than you can trying to do it from memory. Personally, I wouldn't dream of being stuck with just one or the other. Just sayin'...
 
You do Treework Mr Gu? I thought you just hung out here saying super smart/witty stuff, and giving JD endless shit ( he kinda deserves it )!

Just messing with ya buddy.
 
He just pisses on 'em if they're under 200 feet.

I'm not sure what he's spiking his coffee with, but they rot out and fall over in two days.
 
Stephen Moore said:
Hey Rico do you ever do small trees or do they exist there?
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We have tons of hardwoods around here in the 60ft- 120ft range. Various Oaks, Madrones, Bays, and Maples. I climb them frequently but don't post pics of them cause I figure you guys wouldn't give a shit.
 
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JeffGu said:
He just pisses on 'em if they're under 200 feet.

I'm not sure what he's spiking his coffee with, but they rot out and fall over in two days.
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Pharma Grade testosterone and a little Sasquatch dung. It cures what ails you, but a little too much and you might find yourself making sweet love to a nearby knothole, or kicking the shit out of your best friend? Low and slow gentlemen.
 
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Yeah, great points and I thank you for taking the time to answer. I have the kleins and found that the hardwoods are more comfortable with a pole gaff but the pine and thicker bark trees work better with the longer gaffs. By work better, I mean more comfortable with less effort. You are correct, since they have been so uncomfortable I do my best to avoid them and climb SRT as much as possible. I like the idea of having both options and have been trying to find a way, but I need a bigger saw (661) and thats only 500 more than the spurs.
I heard there are super pads from buckingham that will work and significantly improve the comfort of the upper shank.
Thank you again
 
W^3 said:
Yeah, great points and I thank you for taking the time to answer. I have the kleins and found that the hardwoods are more comfortable with a pole gaff but the pine and thicker bark trees work better with the longer gaffs. By work better, I mean more comfortable with less effort. You are correct, since they have been so uncomfortable I do my best to avoid them and climb SRT as much as possible. I like the idea of having both options and have been trying to find a way, but I need a bigger saw (661) and thats only 500 more than the spurs.
I heard there are super pads from buckingham that will work and significantly improve the comfort of the upper shank.
Thank you again
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I've been using the steel Klein's with big buck pads. These were my first and only spurs, took a little getting used to at first but now I don't notice them being uncomfortable. That being said, I am not in them every day for long lengths of time.
 
W^3 said:
Yeah, great points and I thank you for taking the time to answer. I have the kleins and found that the hardwoods are more comfortable with a pole gaff but the pine and thicker bark trees work better with the longer gaffs. By work better, I mean more comfortable with less effort. You are correct, since they have been so uncomfortable I do my best to avoid them and climb SRT as much as possible. I like the idea of having both options and have been trying to find a way, but I need a bigger saw (661) and thats only 500 more than the spurs.
I heard there are super pads from buckingham that will work and significantly improve the comfort of the upper shank.
Thank you again
Click to expand...
The caddy/opsal pads are the very best at dealing with the shank discomfort. Super comfy, light as a feather, $100 and they fit Kleins. They get my highest recommendation.
 
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