That day I learned climbing spurs don't care about your ego

I was trimming a massive old oak down near Springfield last Wednesday, feeling pretty good about myself. Thought I had my lanyard set right, leaned back to get a better angle on a dead limb, and my spurs just slipped right off the bark. I swung there like a pinata for maybe 10 seconds before I got my footing back, and my ground guy Frank just watched and laughed. Has anyone else had a moment where the tree just humbled you in front of the whole crew?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_lee21d ago

That swinging like a pinata line got me good - my crew still brings up the time I ended up dangling upside down after getting my climbing line tangled in my own loops.

uma_taylor4721d ago

Oof, @the_lee, that's rough. I've had my share of stupid line tangles too, but nothing that dramatic. At least you gave them a story they won't forget. Hope you didn't bruise anything too bad when you came down.

alexk6021d ago

The pinata swing is a classic humble pie moment. Yeah, my guy Frank would've filmed it too, no doubt. For the spurs slipping like that, check your gaffs are sharp enough and bark is dry. Wet or punky bark will let you down every time. And tilt your toes in more when you set - that angle matters more than people think. I keep a little file in my saw kit just for touching up spurs on the job.