UKH

Grrr! I lost my spike protector in a low hanging bush at the week end. The axe is a Camp Chouinard with a round spike, not a flat one.

Any suggestions for a DIY protector?

If you have any lying around the rubber protector from the end of a walking pole could work?

Firstly, great that you're using a nice Chouinard axe.  

Secondly, was it a big chunky red rubber thing that you lost?  I might have one!

That's a great idea. Thanks

This is a situation where not sorting out the accumulated junk in the garage or shed pays a dividend. 

A short length  of hose from a family camping stove , or garden hose might fit nicely. Or fashion something out of multiple layers of duct tape.

Sugru?

Cardboard and electrical tape for a true bodge job.

For the spike, I don't bother, but use hosepipe for picks.  If going in a cable car, I just take the axes off or put them down the side.

A good quality champagne cork?

Bit of garden hose? Also works for picks (squish flat and push to fit..

If you put the cut piece of hose in a glass of boiling water for 30 seconds it softens it up and it can then be pushed / stretched/ moulded onto the pick easier, remove it, push it back on to the pick (almost, but not quite as far as the initial attempt) and then pour cold water over it to set it.

I've used hose from a car radiator system, but any hose of the right diam is going to do.

Not sure that cable car matters in this as whenever I've been in them you have to take off and carefully hold your rucksack anyway? (maybe that's just a French thing?)

I use old bike inner tube on my spiky things to great success.