2 Tether Climbing utilizing a Strap-on Platform?

[MEDaugherty]

Question:
Can a strap-on hunting platform be used to climb with the two-tether climbing technique, as shown in the illustration?

Method: (illustration attached)
A saddle is attached to the upper tether (not shown). A "strap-on" platform is attached to a second tether but not strapped to the tree (see illustration). The tether supports the platform and it is stabilized by the geometry, friction knots, and the tree (see illustration). Climbing proceeds in inchworm fashion. The platform is secured to the tree when hunting height is reached by slightly lowering the saddle to access the button.


If I had the equipment, I would have already tried this option and made the video for your entertainment. Currently, I only have two ropeman ascenders and 25’ of climbing rope. I was hoping for input before I start making purchases.

Examples of 2 Tether Techniques:
{Swaider, Thigh Strap} – Scott Adkins –

{Saddle, Thigh Strap} – Jerry Grose –

{ Saddle, Single Step} – Sam Potter –

 

[muzzypower]

Surprised no one has responded so i will. As someone w No 2tc experience, i think it’s brilliant. Platform stability during climb would be interesting to see. Nice

 

[mtsrunner]

I’m not understanding what the ‘stand tether’ is attached to.

 

[sampotter]

Only one way to find out... It looks like it should work. You may have issues with the platform kicking sideways if you don’t have your weight distributed evenly.

 

[sampotter]

I’m not understanding what the ‘stand tether’ is attached to.

The stand tether is around the tree with a girth hitch a foot or so above the platform.

 

[mtsrunner]

The stand tether is around the tree with a girth hitch a foot or so above the platform.

Gotcha. Thanks. So in the OPs scenario, he is using a platform instead your piece of wood or Jerry’s thigh strap.
I see this possibly working on a straight tree or a leaner if you can climb the spine of the tree the whole way up. I don’t think it would work on the low side or a side leaner.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[sampotter]

Gotcha. Thanks. So in the OPs scenario, he is using a platform instead your piece of wood or Jerry’s thigh strap.
I see this possibly working on a straight tree or a leaner if you can climb the spine of the tree the whole way up. I don’t think it would work on the low side or a side leaner.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Leaners are definitely a problem

 

[dalton916]

I’ve started using my lineman’s rope with an aider attached to extend the distance I get between stick moves. It also adds mucho stability while I’m moving said stick.

Tether on top. LR below that with aider (attached via carabiner & prussic) set at knee height. Stick attached to tree as high as I can get it, but above a point that puts the aider on my stick above my waist.

Step into LR aider then up into stick aider. Now move up to bottom step and move both ropes up. Step into LR aider, move stick up, step into stick aider then back to bottom step and move ropes up again. Repeat as necessary.

 

[MEDaugherty]

Thank you for the positive responses.
I am ordering the equipment today.
I will report how it goes in a few weeks.
Sorry for the slow response; blame Covid.

 

[gcr0003]

I’ve started using my lineman’s rope with an aider attached to extend the distance I get between stick moves. It also adds mucho stability while I’m moving said stick.

Tether on top. LR below that with aider (attached via carabiner & prussic) set at knee height. Stick attached to tree as high as I can get it, but above a point that puts the aider on my stick above my waist.

Step into LR aider then up into stick aider. Now move up to bottom step and move both ropes up. Step into LR aider, move stick up, step into stick aider then back to bottom step and move ropes up again. Repeat as necessary.

This is what I was thinking about trying I just havent done it yet. I thought If I could get just 2 ft more per move I could get rid of one move to hunting height. That is, I consistently get 7.5'-' from the ground and then about 4.5' after that. So, ground plus 3 moves gets me to hunting height 7.5+4.5+4.5+4.5 = ~21'. If I could get that to down to ground plus two moves that would be nice 7.5+6.5+6.5 = ~20.5'.
The only thing would be to see which would be quicker/easier. 3 moves traditional one sticking, or 2 moves standing on an aider and reaching up high to set the stick. I am thinking the traditional way would still be easier/quicker due to the fact that I wouldnt have to attach and remove the aider two times.

Thoughts?

 

[dalton916]

You can get an extra 18” per move no sweat. 24” is “doable” if you’re comfortable with it.

When I start my stick is just under my tether and LR. My tether and LR are set as high as I can get them, which is just under 8’. After the first move you could use the top step to move them higher if need be, but you’re adding move movement to the operation.

To me, the best part of this and my driving motivation is stability when moving my stick up. I have an aider held by a carabiner which is attached via a prussic to my LR. I set it so it’s at knee height.

I step into the LR aider then into my stick aider and up to the bottom step. From here I move my tether and LR up as high as I can get them and start over by stepping up and into my LR aider. At this point I put my foot against the tree for stability and move my stick up to just under where my tether and LR are located. Repeat.

As you can see, the two limiting factors are how high can reach to get into the LR aider and how high can you put your tether and LR and still reach your stick safely.

 

[gcr0003]

You can get an extra 18” per move no sweat. 24” is “doable” if you’re comfortable with it.

When I start my stick is just under my tether and LR. My tether and LR are set as high as I can get them, which is just under 8’. After the first move you could use the top step to move them higher if need be, but you’re adding move movement to the operation.

To me, the best part of this and my driving motivation is stability when moving my stick up. I have an aider held by a carabiner which is attached via a prussic to my LR. I set it so it’s at knee height.

I step into the LR aider then into my stick aider and up to the bottom step. From here I move my tether and LR up as high as I can get them and start over by stepping up and into my LR aider. At this point I put my foot against the tree for stability and move my stick up to just under where my tether and LR are located. Repeat.

As you can see, the two limiting factors are how high can reach to get into the LR aider and how high can you put your tether and LR and still reach your stick safely.

Yea the other thing is the lineman’s belt would keep you close to the tree and I think if you had/used a lineman’s belt you could get the stick even higher. That said now you’re attaching an aider and a lineman’s belt. I have some playing around to do to try and figure something out.

 

[dalton916]

Just to be clear, I’m attaching an aider TO my lineman’s belt. It’s not being used as a lineman’s belt around the tree and connected on either side of my saddle.

Tether is attached on top, lineman’s below. Lineman’s hangs straight down and the aider is connected via a prussic and carabiner.