do you need spikes?

[MOG]

So since buying a pair of those fancey dancey scarpa boots (Owned for well over a year). Found spikes were a massive pain to wear. i have got Geko's spikes and they just slip way to far back to the heel. as in the scarpa's there is no arch in the foot, to keep metal part there. So i just dont bother until i have too. i.e logging down wood with no anchor point.

 

i have found this be a very effective method and pretty much do all my takedowns with no spikes. Big or small, until i have to put them on. i have been working in Nz and Oz there are massive trees. So if you have spikes on you cant run around like you normally would. I think it makes you better at climbing as you have to relay on the placement of you feet more.

 

anybody else do this same method? or i am just a spike hater?

 

Cheers MOG

Edited June 6, 2011 by MOG

[Rik]

must admit MOG that at times spikes can be more of a pain than a help.. i do like them when it gets to choggin of stems as i like the security that i can place my feet exactly where i need em everytime. but in crown breakdown stage i find they are always gettin caught on twigs, makin me slip along smooth bark, not allowing me to get me feet in between gaps and notches etc etc... so i generally keep em off and climb as normal till i need em!

 

but thats just me

[testcricket01]

so have i missed something, it sounds like your wearing your spikes with a pair of walking boots?

[tommer9]

No.

Although i have and use spikes, I know a VERY competent lead climber of 25+ years experience who wont touch them!

[Mark Bolam]

I hear ya about the crown breakdown Matt, but watching someone take a stem down without spikes is like watching soft porn.

 

It's just wrong.

[MOG]

I hear ya about the crown breakdown Matt, but watching someone take a stem down without spikes is like watching soft porn.

 

It's just wrong.

 

haha nice man, you know bit of soft porn every now and then is good. all or nothing with you then Mark ay lol. yeah i fully agree on stem/chogging down you need them for sure. but for the whole rest of tree i was just getting at if theres a few people out there who does the same thing. as the guys at work, dont believe that i do all tree without them until stem thats all.

 

cheers for the feed back, interesting to know.

 

"walking boots" surely not:001_tt2:

[Mark Bolam]

Hardcore!

 

I agree that spikes can make you lazy, and I enjoy swinging around much more without them. Sometimes I'd just be stuck without them though.

[Peter]

I quite often put my spikes on to climb the stairs.

 

I agree its a different climbing technique, but I can dismantle faster and more safely with them on.

[Ian Flatters]

so have i missed something, it sounds like your wearing your spikes with a pair of walking boots?

 

Yep:biggrin: I find wearing my Scarpa Boots better than my Hiax which lets the plate move all over the place. Granted my scarpa's ain't the yellow ones but i prefer to wear them.

 

I know i've opened myself up to a few comments about why i shouldn't but, on the ground/felling/if i know im going to be cutting near my feet. I wear chainsaw boots. Good work positioning in the tree should also reduce the risk too.

 

Right now to hide before the bombs drop:lol:

Edited June 6, 2011 by Ian Flatters

[Taupotreeman]

Spikes on all the time for a dismantle unless it's a only a small tree. I just like being able to put my feet wherever I want them and no, I'm not lazy. I work faster with them so I wear them.