Gitzo Tripod on ice, what foot replacement to use?

I just came back from Abraham lake yesterday. Of course it's cold and windy. What disappointed me is my Gitzo tripod can't stand firmly on ice surface (no snow covered, just pure ice). I have Gitzo long spike set but it still can't just stand there. I should mention that this place never clam, it's windy all year long. That's why no snow covered on top of ice.

RRS has something called Rock Claw Foot, which is designed for rocky terrain. I think it might help on mirrored ice surface. However it didn't say it'll work with Gitzo tripod.

I wonder if some 3rd party parts out there can make my Gitzo stand on top of ice firmly. All I need is it stands there for 10 secs.

Spikes work best in soft surfaces where the spikes can be pushed down to penetrate and keep the tripod stable. Not good on ice...there just isn't enough surface area on the spikes to provide enough friction. I'd use the rubber tips and hang a weight of some type from your tripod...should do the trick. Unless you're able to gouge the surface of the ice somewhat to create a spot for the spikes to set into (but you'd probably still need a weight due to the amount of wind that you're seeing).

Agree with what Argyle said. Rubber feet with some weight hanging on the tripod will ensure it remains stable.

I typically bring a couple of the plastic grocery bags, so I can double up the bags. Once at the shoot location, I find a moderately sized rock, put it in the bag, then hang the bag from the tripod weight hanger... (Rocky Mountain National Park gets really windy in the winter months, so I have used this method quite a bit over the last 4 mos).

Chef's Torch .. Melt a little depression for each spike!

What Gitzo legs do you have? The RRS feet should fit on a Gitzo and IMO that would be the best route to go as those look like they would grip ice better than anything else once they dug into it. They have a great return policy, so I say buy them and try em out. If not there is also the Titanium spikes from Markins: LINK

Thanks guys. I am using Gitzo GT2542L.

"... rubber tips... " and "... plastic grocery bags ..." awesome ideas, I should ask you guys this question before I went there.

I originally thought spikes can be pushed down into slippery surface, so I can have a stable shooting environment. Apparently, I was wrong.

I am using both Gitzo 2 & 3 series legs and find the Benro spikes work fine on Welsh ice.
I have a sister in Edmonton and a niece in Calgary and they always tell me Alberta ice is different! I have only been there in the summer so can't say - but the Benro's are fine for me and much cheaper than the Gitzo ones.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13835176
The RRS feet should fit on a Gitzo

johnf3f wrote in post #13836798
I am using both Gitzo 2 & 3 series legs and find the Benro spikes work fine on Welsh ice.

Benro, Gitzo & RRS spikes are interchangeable. They all use a 3/8-16 thread on the shank of the spike so the RRS claw feet will fit my Benro traveler and my Gitzo systematic.

Sadly the RRS Rock Claw is backordered (like many other RRS products right now). The RRS "Versa Foot Spike" product is in stock, if anyone is interested.