[TowerTalk] climbing BX style towers

[Phil Camera]

What I've found is that, especially during the climb and descent, is to go up and down the tower like one would on a Trylon tower.  That is, up and down a leg, meaning, keep a tower leg in the middle of your body and each foot contacts the braces on adjacent tower faces.  This way, if you plan your steps right, you'll be putting your feet down onto a brace that is angled upward and it really is quite easy to go up and down.  Once near the top where everything is smaller, then your feet get abused.  My suggestion is install a solid installation so you don't have to climb these too much.  Phil  KB9CRY

-------------- Original message -------------- 

> In a message dated 9/25/2005 9:02:57 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
> towertalk-request at contesting.com writes: 
> 
> > I have had a few maintenance jobs on BX style towers and I alway end up 
> with bruised feet after a climb. I wear a heavy boot with steel shanks in the 
> soles but the problem is the bruising that occurs on the top outside of my feet. 
> When working on a tower with x bracing, my feet are forced into the corner of 
> the x brace and the vertical member. It always seems that the flat steps are 
> never in the right place. I am ready to swear off of this style tower after 
> one more climb. Are there any tricks of the trade to avoid the problems I've 
> encountered? 
> 
> Unfortunately no. They aren't known as "meat grinders" for nothing. Let 
> me know if you find ANY kind of solution! 
> 
> The only thing I can think of is to use plastic mountain climbing boots 
> but they're pretty danged expensive. 
> 
> Cheers, 
> Steve K7LXC 
> TOWER TECH 
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