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When you think about climbing a tree, the first question that arises is “how to climb a tree with spikes?” It is fun and adventurous to climb trees thus, a lot of people climb trees even though they are not professionals. There are lots of ways you can climb trees but climbing trees with spikes is the most popular opinion. Climbing trees with spikes are the most efficient option as you can climb in the fastest and easiest way.
Spikes would help you climb the trees very quickly and spikes are also very much safe after you place them on the tree properly. If you want to climb trees with spikes as professional climbers do, then you have to know how to use them for climbing.
Step By Step Process For Climbing A Tree With Spikes
Here is the whole process of preparation and steps you should follow for climbing a tree with spikes:
Step 1: Preparation & Necessary Gears For Tree Climbing
Have you decided to climb trees the next you go out? You can’t just think and let it happen. You need to have all types of preparations done before you start your journey. Otherwise, all your planning may just turn into despondence.
The first preparation should be your location and tree selection. You have to visit the place and the tree you want to climb and check if it is safe or not. You should check the environment and if there is anything dangerous or not.
When you are done with your planning, arrangements must be made of all the necessary gears for climbing a tree with spikes. You must arrange spikes, pads, guff guards, and flip lines before starting your journey. It would be a wise step if you check if there are any issues with any of your gear before starting. Change the gears if there are any faults as accidents can occur anytime.
More: Best Tree Climbing Spikes
Step 2: Roadmap Planning’s
If you are thinking about climbing any tree in forest or mountain routes, then roadmap checking the roadmap is a very crucial part. No matter how many times you have visited the place before, you can never be assured of the upcoming threats without checking the roadmap. There can be traps and other dangerous things in your climbing spot such as holes, mushrooms, wild animals, etc. Check the roadmap carefully and remember the dangerous places that you should avoid. You can make strategic plans for complicated roadmaps to enjoy your adventure safely.
Step 3: Understanding The Perfect Angles For Climbing Trees With Spikes
You have equipped spikes and there is a tree in front of you! How bad would it be if you still can not climb the tree safely as you don’t know the proper angle of spikes?
You should know the proper angle of spikes for climbing trees as this will help you from many accidents. If you set the spikes in improper angle then you can even fall off from the tree if it is slippery. Professional arborists claim that a 30-degree angle of spikes is the best option for ascending a tree safely. This angle would help you climb and get down without putting too much pressure on your legs. The ideal angle can be more or less which depends on the tree’s situation. So, you should learn to hold your spikes at a 30-degree angle before climbing any tree.
Step 4: Setting & Equipping Essential Gears
After completing all the preparations and arrangements, you need to wear the required gears properly before climbing any tree. The basic equipment is pads, harness, and waist belts. After equipping these gears, you must ensure the adjuster and flip lines. For further safety of your climbing task, you should never forget to wear helmets and gloves as they are going to save you from fatal injuries even if you fall. You can also wear protection glass for eye protection from dead branches if it is necessary.
Step 5: Climbing Trees With Spikes
Now that you are all equipped with gears and proper arrangements, you are now ready to climb trees with your spikes. You may also feel nervous if you are doing this for the first time. You have to step with the first spike on the tree and then you can place the flip line accurately. You should not wait for too much time after placing one spike rather, you should keep on climbing. While climbing a tree with spikes, you must keep your legs straight and the angle perfect. In this position, you would be benefitted and you can also rotate the flip line as needed.
Precautions & Additional Tips For Climbing Trees With Spikes
- Stay Confident: To avoid any type of accidents, the first thing you need is confidence in yourself. Don’t be nervous and don’t think twice before stepping further.
- Only Focus On Climbing: You should never think about anything else that can distract you while climbing trees. Distraction can lead to fatal accidents in such a critical task.
- Climb Trees Only If Needed: Climbing a tree with spikes damages the tree. The spikes also spread disease from one tree to another. So, you should use them only if you are planning to cut down that tree.
Does Climbing A Tree With Spikes Hurt The Tree?
Sadly the answer is “yes”. Spikes leave behind heavy wounds to the body of the tree which hurts their tissues and damages them. If the tree is healthy then this damage may not affect so much but weak trees can even die because of spikes wounds. However, you can still climb a tree with spikes if it is dead or if it’s going to be taken down.
Final Verdict
By following the above steps, you will know how to climb a tree with spikes and can also be a successful climber without any risks. Make sure that you follow all the steps accordingly and not forget to arrange any of the safety gear. We would recommend you to avoid being tight about budget while buying good quality spikes and safety gears. Always keep safety and comfort as your top priority. Happy tree climbing.
