Can we talk about how climbing spikes get way too much hate

I used to think spikes were just for hacks who didn't care about trees. Then I had to remove a dying silver maple in a tight backyard last fall and my rope access setup was taking forever. An old timer told me to just spike up and get it done in 20 minutes instead of 2 hours. Tree was already dead so no harm done but it really changed my view on when it's okay to use them. Anyone else find themselves using spikes more than they expected?

3 comments

3 Comments

ward.fiona10d ago

Spikes have their place on dead or removals, period.

ross.sean10d agoMost Upvoted

Read that article in Trail Runner that said spikes wreck trails faster than anything.

hayden_martin298d ago

Spikes have their place on dead or removals" - yeah, but that's like saying a chainsaw has its place on dead trees when you're using it to chop down a live one. Trail runners who wear spikes on wet or muddy single track are basically shredding the trail surface into a mess of holes. Seen it firsthand on a local loop that got chewed up after a weekend race. That article was spot on.