Think of it as operating like a “sit and climb” tree stand. Since I’m essentially using a 30’ tree tether the whole way up, it makes it pretty easy.
I hook up my tree tether as high as I can. Then I hook up the aider at about chest height. My Ropeman is set at about waist height with two foot loops going through the carabiner. Now I hook up my bridge to the tether and sit down in my harness. Now I can lift up my feet and put each one into a loop. My toes are pointing out and my feet are basically hugging the tree. Because I’m using both feet instead of just one, and they are pushing in opposing directions, kick out is a non issue.
So now I look like I’m sitting in a chair with my legs at a 90 degree angle. At this point I simply stand up moving all of my weight from the harness to the foot loops. I reach up and slide the tree tether as high as I can again. (I’ve been practicing this with the MR Lifeguard so this is pretty easy). Now I sit back down in my harness and either pull on the tail of the aider or just move the whole thing up the tree. Now I stand up again and repeat.
So far I’ve been doing this without the need for a lineman’s belt with no issues. I would obviously need it if I was moving around branches.
This may sound complicated but it’s really not. I’m still tweaking the process and may have come up with a way to make it more efficient.
EDIT: To come down I rappel of course. My retractable gear hoist pulls double duty here. Instead of lowering my bow down I strap it to my pack or throw it over my back (recurve, easy peasy). Now I hook up my gear hoist to a small permanently installed Amsteel loop that is buried in the girth hitch knot on my tether. I rappel down with my hoist feeding out line as I go. When I get to the ground I simply pull on my gear hoist line and it disengages the girth hitch. I pull my rope down and pack up.
Here’s where I got my inspiration ( I kid you not)!!
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