  We use a Pohlmeyer type reduction to generate classical string solutions in
AdS spacetime. In this framework we describe a correspondence between spikes in
AdS_3 and soliton profiles of the sinh-Gordon equation. The null cusp string
solution and its closed spinning string counterpart are related to the
sinh-Gordon vacuum. We construct classical string solutions corresponding to
sinh-Gordon solitons, antisolitons and breathers by the inverse scattering
technique. The breather solutions can also be reproduced by the sigma model
dressing method.
