Talking to an old logger changed my mind about climbing spikes

I ran into a guy near Eugene who said he hasn't used spikes on a live tree in 40 years, and he showed me calluses on his thighs from running lines instead. Made me wonder how many more trees I'm damaging than I have to for routine removals. Has anyone else switched to mostly spurless climbing?

3 comments

3 Comments

lindal1329d ago

Nora's right about the thigh pain, man. Worth it though?

miles_roberts29d ago

Man, that Eugene guy sounds like a real old school legend. I've been thinking about ditching spikes more and more lately. My legs were killing me for the first few weeks but the bark damage is way less. It forces you to plan your climb better and find good branch placements instead of just stabbing your way up.

nora11029d ago

Switched to a footlocker and a Blake's hitch about five years back for anything under 80 feet. Sore thighs for a week but the trees look way better when I'm done. You tried a zigzag or something similar yet?