Spiking tips and techniques?

[Brownlie1985]

I would go for confident baby steps, I was taught on the lines to do 3 small steps, then a flick of pole belt.

 

But trees are different game!

 

All I can suggest is to take your time and make sure you have spike adjusted correctly and they are comfortable, the number of people that complain of them hurting but are just badly adjusted is unreal. Haix boots have served me well over the years and I can recommend them.

[bob]

If you make a fist and put your arm out straight to the trunk it is about the right angle for the spikes to dig in.

As said place the spikes and your weight should dig them in..

Also very few adjust the length of there spikes and ideally as long as possible to under the knee to give better support and put less stress on your knees

[Tom Mabbutt]

When spiking do people think its bad practice to put your flipline on your bridge so you can pass it round the stem and choke it back onto the flipline? Say if you're on a spindly leaner and theres a danger of you pivoting off the stem and hanging on the underside, (so it gives you more security basically). My cs41 assessor showed me that tip, but since then I've heard (from friends that do it [or used to]) that its a no-no, because the carabiner on the flipline would be crossloaded if you slipped of and it took your weight. Obviously youd be backed up with your main line too. I've always found it a massive help to be honest.

 

But I spose that a key danger of doing this is severing your bridge?? (unlikely, but i guess its possible).

Edited February 12, 2013 by Tom Mabbutt
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[Brownlie1985]

When spiking do people think its bad practice to put your flipline on your bridge so you can pass it round the stem and choke it back onto the flipline? Say if you're on a spindly leaner and theres a danger of you pivoting off the stem and hanging on the underside. My cs41 assessor showed me that tip, but since then I've heard (from friends that do it [or used to]) that its a no-no, because the carabiner on the flipline would be crossloaded if you slipped of and it took your weight. Obviously youd be backed up with your main line too. I've always found it a massive help to be honest.

 

 

This type of system is being enforced on wood pole lineman;

Chokestraps

 

But we did not use a backup, it was our only fall arrest.

 

But similar idea to what you suggest.

[YoGi_93]

Cheers for the tips ive always been a bit hit and miss with the angles to be honest especially on leaning trees. As I say though every time ive spiked before this has only been practising not an actual take down so I think the fact that there's actually work to be done in the tree will pull my focus and confidence into line... what do you lot think the ideal height to be cutting is? A climber at work said about chest height? Because stomach height is too close to your lines and too risky if i happen to gaff out?

[Stephen Blair]

Use the saws pushing and pulling side of the chain to your advantage.

[silky fox]

Brilliant tip Stephen...so often you see a guy being pushed off balance by NOT utilising the saw,s pushing/pulling side ....

[colemanjessenz]

have a lil krab on your leg loop or harness and when you get to the stem just clip the tail of your rope through and it will keep it away from your spikes .

[Ollie Wall]

If its leaning, spike on on the top side of the lean.. Sounds obvious but ive seen people struggle trying to spike the underside of the lean.. Quite funny to watch.

 

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[treeman]

make sure you have the spikes on the inside of your foot