DB4x4
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2018
- Messages
- 1,871
Just to add the context of experience to your statement....Have you done a bunch of 2TC?
I don't see how having a linesman belt will stabilize your foothold on the tree (which is the reason for foot wrap). The tether will interfere with the linesman as you step up in the foot tether and try to advance the top one...also having 3 ropes on the tree can get very tricky.....
I strongly feel everyone 2TC should have a secondary saddle tie in on their foot tether that gives the safety factor while advancing your main tether.
IMHO what makes all the difference in the world is the ease of advancing tethers up the bark of the tree and the size of the move(don't overreach). Find a solution to that (I have) and stability problems mostly go away!
Just to clarify, my comments were regarding one-stick climbing. I use the method shown in the photo above to tend the slack while climbing the aiders and stick. When I get up onto the stick, I throw my LB around so I can use two hands to advance the tether without risk of losing balance and falling backward.
I have not tried 2TC. If I have to carry some sort platform to set at hunting height anyway, I would rather just use it to climb so I have something solid to stand on that's less likely to kick out while I advance my tether.
When I first started one-sticking, I just used a tether with a prusik, climbed above the girth hitch with a bunch of slack, and advanced the tether by hugging the tree, no LB. I now know that this was risky, especially on wet, slippery trees and/or trees that lean. I also got little pieces of bark in my eyes all the time from being so close to the tree while sliding my rope up.
I feel much safer and more confident with my current method since I'm always either suspended on a taut tether or leaning back into a LB, while standing on a solid surface.