One stick climbing method

[dalton916]

Also, with the daisy chain, the argument that “it never lands on the right loop” is dumb. You want it to have a little slack. If it’s tight you won’t be able to slide it up the tree as you climb unless you detach it. Set it so you can easily get your hand between the strap and the tree. Once you put weight on the stick it WILL set solidly in the tree. Heck, I have my platform mounted on my stick and don’t even bother using a cam over strap anymore because by the time I get to height I have stood in the aider, stood on the bottom step and the stick is rock damn solid

 

[dalton916]

When you put it that way....yeah. Me giving myself some slack in the tether is really not much different than only going to my second step on my stick. (They’re stock Heliums, btw.) I’ll give that a shot next time I’m out.
I’m still gonna give the cam cleat a shot and see if I like it better than the daisy chain/button option.

Appreciate it!

Always

 

[dalton916]

This is my “test tree” in my back yard....

....zoom in and you can see the angle of the daisy chain. I set it with a LOT of slack on this tree because there’s several knots I have to navigate as I go up and still it doesn’t move when I use the platform.

 

[SecretAgentMan]

Aider suggestions?
I’ve tried a few and not sure what I like best. I’ve tried Amsteel spliced as a dogbone with a piece of tubing, looped over the top. Not a big fan. Kinda bulky and tends to want to kick out.
And, I’ve tried just a piece of webbing looped over the bottom step with a cobra weave to make it easier to get my foot in. This seems to be okay but hanging from the bottom of the stick, it wants to pull my stick bottom away from the tree making the whole thing kinda unstable.

I’ve seen tons of options, techniques, materials, how it’s attached, etc. Is there a thread where all this is sort of compiled? Or, what’s everyone’s thoughts? What’s your go-to? I’m really more comfortable with a single step aider. I’ve got a 4 step rock climbing one and it terrifies me.

 

[Hawkeye Bowhunter]

I’m thinking I’m going to try a single step aider tubular webbing tied with a water knot and an 8” piece of 5/8“ water hose to keep the step open at the foot hold. Haven’t built it yet...waiting on webbing.

 

[cspot]

For the guys single sticking do you prefer a 2nd tether or a linesman belt for going around limbs?

 

[pilgrimhunter]

A daisy chain with a versa button is superior in my opinion. I set it one time when I first put the stick on the tree and never detach it again.

Set on tree
Step in aider
Step on bottom step
Move tether up
Reach down and slide stick up tree
Repeat

It really is that simple.

Does this work only on a smooth at somewhat smooth bark tree? I am trying to imagine sliding a rope up some of the rougher bark trees I climb.....


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[robstewart]

What is the best stick and attachment method to use the one stick climbing method. I was able to do it with a hawk helium with original strap and buckle but was wondering if there was a better method/stick.

I put a 7/64 amsteel daisy chain on my hawk and I love it.


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[DanO]

For the guys single sticking do you prefer a 2nd tether or a linesman belt for going around limbs?

I know a lot of guys that just have dual rope setups - both can be used as tether or lineman. I'm planning on using my rappel line to ascend while one-sticking, so I'll just carry a backup lineman belt with lightweight carabiners for going around limbs.

 

[cspot]

I know a lot of guys that just have dual rope setups - both can be used as tether or lineman. I'm planning on using my rappel line to ascend while one-sticking, so I'll just carry a backup lineman belt with lightweight carabiners for going around limbs.

What rope and carabiners are you planning on using?

 

[SecretAgentMan]

I know a lot of guys that just have dual rope setups - both can be used as tether or lineman. I'm planning on using my rappel line to ascend while one-sticking, so I'll just carry a backup lineman belt with lightweight carabiners for going around limbs.

My problem with that setup has been that the distel and tender have to come off the rap line to be able to pull the whole thing down easily.
Per the original question, I just use a lineman’s in co junction with my tether. And keep my rap line stowed away when ascending.
What’s these dual rope setups you mentioned, @DanO ? Like a dual rope lineman’s with one line attached to each loop but splits into two ropes that go around the tree? That’s what I’m envisioning.

 

[Squirrels]

My problem with that setup has been that the distel and tender have to come off the rap line to be able to pull the whole thing down easily.
Per the original question, I just use a lineman’s in co junction with my tether. And keep my rap line stowed away when ascending.
What’s these dual rope setups you mentioned, @DanO ? Like a dual rope lineman’s with one line attached to each loop but splits into two ropes that go around the tree? That’s what I’m envisioning.

Dual ropes just means two ropes setup identical to each other so they can be used for either task without remembering or finding a specific one.


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[SecretAgentMan]

Dual ropes just means two ropes setup identical to each other so they can be used for either task without remembering or finding a specific one.


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Gotcha. Made sense the more I thought about it.

 

[robstewart]

Dual ropes just means two ropes setup identical to each other so they can be used for either task without remembering or finding a specific one.


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When I started I realized my lineman and tether were identical except how I used them. Now I climb with a 30’ and an 8’-10’ rope. Typically the 30’ is my climbing rope and sometimes hunting tether and some trees it’s my SRT rope. It’s also my self rescue and a always rappel.

The short rope is used either as a lineman or tether. It’s there for getting around branches or if I want to hunt from a different position in the tree than my SRT would provide.

I like to combine methods and use gear that is multi-purpose as much as possible.

For example I had one tree where getting a throw line up from the ground was near impossible. I did one stick half way, then was able to get my long rope up over a branch and SRT the rest of the way. Then I left a pre-set paracord and next time just did SRT.

FLEXIBILITY is key and I think most guys get that here. Be willing to adjust your method for the tree and the situation.


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[SecretAgentMan]

I have a Predator lineman’s from DanO, a shorter 8-10’ tether, and my 40’ rap line. I guess I could ditch either the lineman’s and just use the rap line if I need to get around a limb.

 

[Jay_Disarray]

I've been carrying just my main tether/rappel rope and a climbing stick strap girth hitched on one of my lineman loops.

Works well enough and the buckle makes it easily adjustable without needing to carry another prusik

 

[LarkHarrison243]

I've been carrying just my main tether/rappel rope and a climbing stick strap girth hitched on one of my lineman loops.

Works well enough and the buckle makes it easily adjustable without needing to carry another prusik

Do you use the strap as a linesman belt? have you noticed any slipping? I would be interested in trying this if it is safe.

 

[Jay_Disarray]

Do you use the strap as a linesman belt? have you noticed any slipping? I would be interested in trying this if it is safe.

Correct, I use it as a lineman belt. I haven't noticed any problems with it myself. If it is safe is up to you, I feel comfortable with it

 

[dalton916]

Does this work only on a smooth at somewhat smooth bark tree? I am trying to imagine sliding a rope up some of the rougher bark trees I climb.....


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I use the woven daisy chain and it’s not really “grabby” like some of the more fibrous ropes are (read: amsteel). The problem with the woven daisy chain is that no one seems to have it for sale anymore.

I also run mine pretty loose so that makes it easier to go up rough bark or knotty trees.

 

[SecretAgentMan]

Ok. So I cut my Heliums down to 22.5” and all in all, I’m pleased with them. However, it promptly kicked out on me when I stepped up onto my top step platform giving me nice forearm scuffing. Should I move the versa button to match the original ratio distance from the uncut stick length? Perhaps I just had it set too loose on the tree. I’ve got the whole offseason to figure it out.

The photo is just for show off purposes. That Amsteel daisy chain has been swapped for 6mm Sterling trc figure eighted and fixed just below the cleat. Couldn’t figure how how to get the pic to rotate. :shrug: