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TRAINING & EDUCATION In this case, the climber is using a running bowline to provide the climbing support system/escape route when using spurs, a very simple and effective system. Photo by Michael "House" Tain The Adjustable Friction Saver can be used on a spar, pole, or even a palm tree to provide a cinching tie-in point when using spurs. Photo by Martin Morales or deep heels are traditionally worn with spurs to keep them in place, they are not required.An additional wrap of the strap over,around,and then under the shank of the climber will secure it in place, preventing the spur from moving around underneath the boot regardless of heel size or depth. The pointy things mentioned earlier — technically called the gaffs of the climber — are the most important part of the whole system, as they are what penetrates into the wood and supports the user.They are designed and intended to enter the wood with a minimum of effort, and be removed the same way.Well-maintained gaffs should "plane" into the wood instead of "punch" into it like a nail; and most manufacturers provide guides for the gaffs to maintain the proper angles. In general, the gaffs should be sharpened from the inside out in a curve.The intention is a curved smooth plane-like edge, not a sharp spike or nail-like point.The beehive,or curved outer edges of the gaff should not be filed;and a whetstone can be used to smooth out any nicks or imperfections that have occurred.The use of electrical grinding wheels, either bench mounted or handheld, is an excellent way to ruin a pair of gaffs; and should be avoided except in the most extreme of cases where a great deal of damage has happened and a lot of metal needs to be removed. barked conifers;and are particularly better suited to the hardwood species. This choice will come down to user preference, but new spur climbers should be aware that either pole or tree gaffs are certainly acceptable. Pole or tree The majority of climbers sold through arborist supply companies are going to arrive equipped with tree gaffs, unless the buyer has specified otherwise.The difference between tree gaffs and pole gaffs should be fairly obvious to most observers through a side-by-side comparison.Tree gaffs are significantly longer and are intended to plane through the thick bark of trees, particularly coniferous ones, to the safe and secure wood below. Pole gaffs were developed for use on the bark-free poles of the utility world, and are thus much shorter in length. Personal experience has shown that pole gaffs work well in any type of tree, including thick14 Arbor Age / March 2013 Going down? Historically,spur climbing has been done with only a pair of spurs and a flipline or lanyard. But in the interest of safety, efficiency, and the new ANSI standards,climbers would be well served to use some form of climbing system in conjunction with their spurs and lanyard. Climbing with only spurs and a flipline leaves the user with a quick trip to the ground in the event of a "kick-out," not to mention very isolated with no safe escape path to the ground in the event of a bee encounter or accident. An overhead tie-in point can solve these issues; and for the situation of a smooth pole or spar there are a number of cinching tie-in point systems available, many of which can be advanced up the tree as spur climbing, providing climbing system stability every step of the way.The use of a climbing system in addition to the spurs also gives the user more flexibility for movement, thereby helping get the job done more quickly. Spur climbing is traveling back to the "roots" of the industry, using techniques and tools begun more than a century ago, but even this modern technological age has a place for these venerable tools and skills.The use of spurs on the right trees, in the right place, and in the right manner can help tree crews get those removal jobs done as safely and efficiently as possible. Michael "House"Tain is a contract climber, splicer, educator and writer associated with North AmericanTraining Solutions www.northamericantrainingsolutions.com and Arbor CanadaTraining and Education www.arborcanada.com.He is currently located in Lancaster,Ky.,and can be reached via e-mail at house@houseoftain.com. www.arborage.com