Overheard a guy at the lumber yard say climbing spikes are fine on any tree

Was picking up some rigging rope yesterday and this fella in line ahead of me was telling the clerk he uses his spikes on every tree he climbs, even live oaks. Said it saves time. I didn't say anything but it got me thinking about how many people out there are just roughing up healthy bark for no reason. Has anyone else run into climbers who don't bother with proper foot placement or just treat spikes like they're standard gear?

3 comments

3 Comments

murray.drew25d ago

Every tree" also means your spurs are getting dull way faster.

ninas6725d ago

You every tree" got me good, cause I just spent a whole hour sharpening my spurs yesterday. Thought I was being clever trimming every single branch in sight, but now I'm out here with a file and a prayer trying to make them bite again. Maybe I need to get a life instead of a perfect hedge line.

miles_roberts25d ago

You ever spend more time fixing your tools than actually using them? I once spent a whole Sunday sharpening my pruners just to go out in the yard and realize I'd taken off way too much metal. They just sliced through every twig like butter for like ten minutes, then went dull again. It's a curse, really.