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The red squirrel climbing aider

redsquirrel

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AGREED!
You should try Aider only though. Especially with two Ropeman. I wouldn't recommend it at all if I didn't feel totally safe doing it. It just requires some technique and patience. And if you are rigged for Rappel descent, even better
When you say aider only, are you referring to the "stirrups"? Just link to the thread you have on what you're referring to and I'll take another look.
 

Cladavidson

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Please post a video. When you can, I’d love to see this in action.
 

Thedevine

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@EricS makes a good point. Why not make it dual use and your aider becomes your tether? Seems pretty smart to me.
Great Idea! I'm all about dual purpose equipment. Also I think you could turn the aider webbing foot loop into your saddle bridge once at height? I am going to have to try this over the weekend!
 

nature tamer

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I have to use 5 stepps with an aider tied onto each to stepp to get to similar height as with my muddy steps w/aider.2017-10-09_19.14.21.jpg
 

nature tamer

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The main reason I'm still trying to figure a way to use these are they are so packable. This is 5 stepps w/aiders in a 8 stepp capacity bag. I haven't done any hunting time with them yet. I don't think I'm faster than 4 muddy stepps but way more efficient in transporting. I think I will also be able to stuff my ameristeps platform in the bottom of the stepp bag.
2017-10-09_19.13.48.jpg 2017-10-09_19.12.25.jpg
 

EricS

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@nature tamer I considered going that route myself. There really wasn't much if any benefit for fishing the aider through the steps. Especially on the way down. I just stick my foot in it before I even hook it to the step. That way I'm not fishing around for it.
 
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nature tamer

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@nature tamer I considered going that route myself. There really wasn't much if any benefit for fishing the aider through the steps. Especially on the way down. I just stick my foot in it before I even hook it to the step. That way I'm not fishing around for it.
I will try that.
 

redsquirrel

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The main reason I'm still trying to figure a way to use these are they are so packable.
Agreed. They are similar weight to my sticks, just more packable. I think they might be slightly slower to put up right now, but I was up and ready in 15 minutes both times I hunted with them. How is the aider attached to each stick working for you?
 

redsquirrel

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@redsquirrel very nice! what bag is that? and what platform are you using?
This was the bag: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NTS3REQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I wasn't optimistic about it when the dump pouch portion of it came off while I was rigging it up. But I finished ripping it off and it will be better that way. I replaced all the metal zipper pulls with paracord. The inside is pretty durable and it slings very nicely over my shoulder so it should work pretty good.

I just use strap on steps. There is a set of aluminum steps in the bottom.
 

EricS

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Red do you carry everything for your hunt in that bag? Looks like there are plenty of pockets to keep things organized.
 

nature tamer

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Agreed. They are similar weight to my sticks, just more packable. I think they might be slightly slower to put up right now, but I was up and ready in 15 minutes both times I hunted with them. How is the aider attached to each stick working for you?
Girth hitched for now. I need to order more webbing. These are off my muddy sticks. I need to make them a little longer and I want to put rope inside webbing to keep spread. The girth hitch works good cause it cinches tight with pressure so I think I will do the same thing again.
 

redsquirrel

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Red do you carry everything for your hunt in that bag? Looks like there are plenty of pockets to keep things organized.
I just got the bag so it hasn't made it to the woods yet. I had a similar smaller bag that had just had my 6 stepps in it but it didn't work great as a system when I need to get my platform and hangers out at the top. This should solve that. Not a huge investment at 20 bucks but I'm optimistic.
 

nature tamer

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Agreed. They are similar weight to my sticks, just more packable. I think they might be slightly slower to put up right now, but I was up and ready in 15 minutes both times I hunted with them. How is the aider attached to each stick working for you?
Sorry started replying before I finished your sentence so I have a different answer for you lol. I just made these up so I haven't had much time with them yet. But I think I will like them. 1st reason I won't have to hook up an aider in addition to tying the stepp since the aider is already attached to each stepp. 2nd they fit in the bag fine like this. If they didn't fit I probably wouldn't consider trying it. I will report back with any improvements or issues after I hunt with them.
 

EricS

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If your girth went outside the stepp it would require slightly more webbing but should hold itself open.