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Whats everyone's preferred climbing method

Shane Wink

Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
57
I have been looking through the forum and kinda want to know what the consensus is on what most are using to climb with. One stick, more sticks, steps, no sticks, etc
 
So far I'm enjoying 3 muddy pro sticks with 1-5step, 2-3step aiders. I really want to try some climbing spurs.


Sent from my
Sit drag, Ernie's outdoors linesman belt,
At 20' up
 
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Muddy rope sticks, hands down the best thing I have ever used. Started with LW, went to Jim Stepps, back to LW with aider, then to Ameristep rapid rails and then muddy pro sticks for the past 5 years.

Thanks,
Boswell
 
Muddy rope sticks, hands down the best thing I have ever used. Started with LW, went to Jim Stepps, back to LW with aider, then to Ameristep rapid rails and then muddy pro sticks for the past 5 years.

Thanks,
Boswell
A muddy stick with an aider is even better - higher with less to carry. If you want a longer stick the helium stick modified with a versa button and a rope is good too - and an aider.
 
Muddy rope sticks, hands down the best thing I have ever used. Started with LW, went to Jim Stepps, back to LW with aider, then to Ameristep rapid rails and then muddy pro sticks for the past 5 years.

Thanks,
Boswell
Did you ever try a rope modified lone wolf?
 
A muddy stick with an aider is even better - higher with less to carry. If you want a longer stick the helium stick modified with a versa button and a rope is good too - and an aider.
I have tried aiders, but they scare the hell out of me.

Did you ever try a rope modified lone wolf?
I seen no point, @bowhunter15 did a video about the rope mod that showed the rope mod on the LW was slower than original strap, but it did cut some weight. I am not a fan of the LW sticks anyways, between the single step on each side and I don't like having 3 steps per stick. It makes the stick less stable. The bottom step is to far from the anchor point, so they have a tendency to kick off the tree with any side pressure or pulling to hard with your hand.

Thanks,
Boswell
 
I have tried aiders, but they scare the hell out of me.


I seen no point, @bowhunter15 did a video about the rope mod that showed the rope mod on the LW was slower than original strap, but it did cut some weight. I am not a fan of the LW sticks anyways, between the single step on each side and I don't like having 3 steps per stick. It makes the stick less stable. The bottom step is to far from the anchor point, so they have a tendency to kick off the tree with any side pressure or pulling to hard with your hand.

Thanks,
Boswell
Yup there is some risk in everything. I did not like aiders at first but practice makes you more comfortable. Aiders mean you carry less to climb higher. If you feel uncomfortable just use an aider on the bottom stick at first. That will put you at 7 to 8 feet with one stick you don't have far to fall.

I agree with you about lone wolf sticks. Two steps are great and the cam is faster than the versa button with a rope modification. I have both and I never take my lone wolf sticks anywhere anymore. I have helium sticks with a versa button and the rope modification. They are better than lone wolf sticks and have a double step and are a similar weight. IMO helium sticks don't tend to kick out either.
 
I have tried aiders, but they scare the hell out of me.


I seen no point, @bowhunter15 did a video about the rope mod that showed the rope mod on the LW was slower than original strap, but it did cut some weight. I am not a fan of the LW sticks anyways, between the single step on each side and I don't like having 3 steps per stick. It makes the stick less stable. The bottom step is to far from the anchor point, so they have a tendency to kick off the tree with any side pressure or pulling to hard with your hand.

Thanks,
Boswell
What aiders do you like? I have muddy sticks I can play with too. I never used them because of the height restrictions. I'll have to try the aider set up
 
What aiders do you like? I have muddy sticks I can play with too. I never used them because of the height restrictions. I'll have to try the aider set up

I have made them with tubular webbing with a rope inside the step and I have used black diamond aiders. The home made ones are a bit easier to get my feet into but the black diamond are less bulky


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I have this one on bottom

https://www.karstsports.com/black-diamond-etrier/?variant=7761028&gclid=CPzs16PkutMCFYM7gQod3zMI-w

I have these on the next two

https://www.google.com/search?q=cmi...&ved=0ahUKEwjwiPXG5LrTAhWFRSYKHVDsDIUQgTYIggI

I use the muddy pro with these and I do carry the fourth stick but don't use it often.


Sent from my
Sit drag, Ernie's outdoors linesman belt,
At 20' up
This might be a dumb question but how can you make good use of 5 step aider on the bottom step? I have modified 2 step helium sticks and 2step aiders. With 20" per step the top of my first stick is 80" off the ground which is about all I can reach well to fasten a stick. Are you getting higher than that?

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This might be a dumb question but how can you make good use of 5 step aider on the bottom step? I have modified 2 step helium sticks and 2step aiders. With 20" per step the top of my first stick is 80" off the ground which is about all I can reach well to fasten a stick. Are you getting higher than that?

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I would have to measure. Sometimes the bottoms loop is on the ground other times it's a foot off the ground it depends on the diameter of the tree more than anything



Sent from my
Sit drag, Ernie's outdoors linesman belt,
At 20' up
 
Muddy rope sticks, hands down the best thing I have ever used. Started with LW, went to Jim Stepps, back to LW with aider, then to Ameristep rapid rails and then muddy pro sticks for the past 5 years.

Thanks,
Boswell

I like the looks of that setup. Spurs are out for the most part or I would definitely like to invest in some. Thank you Boudreaux and I am very excited to get the new aero hunter saddle and get to practicing.
 
I just got the spurs this year, but I think they will end up my #1 Climbing method...


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If I wasn't running around on federal land so much the spurs would be the route for me. I may purchase some at some point for hunting family land.
 
There's no way I would ever use my sticks without aiders again. The aiders allow me to get to 20+ with three sticks. I'd need at least 5 sticks to get that high without them. They are a total game changer for me. For tall guys that can really stretch out their sticks, the aiders would probably be less necessary. Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with good height genes.
 
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I do like the looks of the muddy pro sticks with an aider. I looked at several mods for keeping the step open but till I try it out I really won't know any more than that.
 
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