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Climbing rope for tree access
- Thread starter BlinemanB
- Start date
I had some time mid day yesterday to work on this system a bit more. Let me tell you, for me, the tree frog method is the way to go. This was much easier than RADS. I don't know if it is because I am short and have short arms and legs ( :lol: ), but I can do the tree frog much easier. I set up the tree frog, and quickly climbed up 3 times in a row in my hunting gear in 65 degree temps and I wasn't sweating. I wanted to compare it to RADS, so I set that up and gave it a shot. I struggled halfway up the tree and said forget this, it just isn't working for me. I also got my cadence down on the tree frog. I raise left arm with hand ascender and left foot with foot loop, then I raise right foot with foot ascender and chest ascender. Doing it like this is very similar to climbing up a tree on steps or climbing sticks.
I am going to give this a shot with my new found confidence tonight
I am going to give this a shot with my new found confidence tonight
Stykbow1 said:
Here is what I am basing off of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SpQ1AC0Ikw
If you google tree frog climbing system there are more examples, and there are different variations.
So, I just need to tie a rope from the hand ascender to the croll ascender?
Have you been using that neck clip to advance the croll?
Seems easy enough to unclip the hand ascender, croll and foot ascender after I hook up my ascender.
Have you been using that neck clip to advance the croll?
Seems easy enough to unclip the hand ascender, croll and foot ascender after I hook up my ascender.
- Oct 3, 2014
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- g2outdoors
- g2outdoors
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- G2Adventures
redsquirrel said:
That looks really simple.
Make sure you report back and let us know if the system is going to work out for you.
That is pretty cool and looks like you could get up pretty high very quickly but you have to carry rope and buy specialized climbing equipment. It seems to me that the equipment can be noisy when you are setting up and getting ready to climb and I worry that it could alert animals to your presence. I might consider it especially if I hunted in areas that don't allow screw in tree steps or preseason setups. I have to admit though the cool factor and speed of climbing is off the charts and not working up a sweat in the early bow season sounds pretty good too!
Roger
Roger
Stykbow1 said:
It's not all that loud at all. The loudest part is if I forget to grab my throw line once its in the tree and the weight hits the ground. But if you've ever heard hickory nuts hitting the ground it's about the same. Stuff falls out of trees all the time where there's squirrels.
As to the specialized equipment the only thing you might need to buy besides the rope is your two prusic chords (you can get accessory chord rated to 10Kn for 12.95 for 30' at REI) , chances are you already own two locking carabiners and that's all you need to climb if you already own a saddle. As to belay equipment you don't really need it just takes longer to get out of the tree.
120' of climbing rope only weights 6lbs... You can comfortably get away with only 60' so 3lbs... How much do four lone wolf sticks weigh or even five to get you to the equivalent height.
I've never felt safer as well with any other climbing method since I'm always attached to my safety system.
For all the equipment I've listed you're talking less than the cost of climbing sticks.. The rope is the most expensive part you can get it for 89cents a foot.
This looks like another approach that may even be easier than the micro frog. I guess this method would still involve having the chest ascender and the foot ascender?
https://haastreegear.com/
https://haastreegear.com/
withakri said:
It looks really similar to the micro frog, just with some different equipment serving similar purposes. He climbs up so quick I can't get a good visual on how everything is working but it looks very similar.
It looks like the hitchclimber serves like the hand ascender, and the haas serves as the chest ascender. He still has the foot ascender on.
g2outdoors said:
Last night was a success! Took me a little longer than I would have liked to get setup and in the tree, but that will improve with more practice. I even almost got a shot off at a doe!
Mike K said:
Last night I just stayed on the rope, and that is what Whispers Death does. Once I climbed up I put my petzl rig descender on, hung on that the entire sit, and then used that to rappel down at dark.
DIYSaddler said:
It's not all that loud at all. The loudest part is if I forget to grab my throw line once its in the tree and the weight hits the ground. But if you've ever heard hickory nuts hitting the ground it's about the same. Stuff falls out of trees all the time where there's squirrels.
Yea it really isn't as loud as you would think it is. Some strategically placed camoform wrap really helps to quiet any metal on metal noise down, and the climbing portion can be done quietly.
Scott,
What is the cost for the rope and the climbing hardware and ascending devices? I think that for certain situations this method has some real advantages and it just plain sounds like fun! Knowing my luck I'd do something wrong and end up in the ER the first time I tried it in the woods! :lol: I would definitely have to practice a lot to feel confident with this system, contrary to what you've heard us Bumbles don't bounce!
Roger
What is the cost for the rope and the climbing hardware and ascending devices? I think that for certain situations this method has some real advantages and it just plain sounds like fun! Knowing my luck I'd do something wrong and end up in the ER the first time I tried it in the woods! :lol: I would definitely have to practice a lot to feel confident with this system, contrary to what you've heard us Bumbles don't bounce!
Roger
Well guys, put a doe down my second night on the climbing rope. I'm still a little slow getting up, but I'm sure it will get quicker with practice. I timed it, 28 minutes from getting to the tree until I was ready to shoot. 7 minutes to get down and pack up. I'm sure with a preset tree I could be up in minutes.
She gave me a 15 yard slightly quartering away shot, ran about 30 yards and crashed. That is the way I like it
She gave me a 15 yard slightly quartering away shot, ran about 30 yards and crashed. That is the way I like it
Stykbow1 said:Scott,
What is the cost for the rope and the climbing hardware and ascending devices? I think that for certain situations this method has some real advantages and it just plain sounds like fun! Knowing my luck I'd do something wrong and end up in the ER the first time I tried it in the woods! :lol: I would definitely have to practice a lot to feel confident with this system, contrary to what you've heard us Bumbles don't bounce!
Roger
Here is a rough breakdown of what it would take to get into the microfrog. You would need some extra rope to finish it off but that is an easy DIY. This method definitely has merit and now that I've overcome my climbing problems I am going to keep practicing with it and I'll set up trees for it in the offseason with cord to make life even easier. The one thing I will say about this method over climbing sticks or others, is that it requires practice to become efficient and make sure that you are doing it safely. I climbed the tree in my backyard many times while I was trying RADS and a bunch of times while testing the microfrog.
Petzl pantin foot ascender $72
Petzle kroll chest ascender $39
Petzl foot loop $30
Petzl hand ascender $72
70 foot yale bandit, $55
Various carabiners
Your choice of descender $10-$255
Throw line/bag $25
Scott,
First congrats on the doe now you can concentrate on Bucky Bighorns! I would say that for my current hunting areas this method really wouldn't apply unless I just wanted to experiment or change climbing tactics. Plus the cost to switch over is more than I'd like to spend because I have other equipment I'd like to update. That being said there are other areas in the future where this method could be perfect so I thank everyone for their info and input I really appreciate it!
I'm currently hunting a couple of urban areas that have limited access and locations to setup stands so being mobile isn't as important as having a preset location. Right now I'm trying to come up with an alternative platform solution to replace the Ameristeps and the screw in steps for my areas. Now if I can do that I'll be really happy! Thanks again for all the info I will keep it in mind for future use!
Roger
First congrats on the doe now you can concentrate on Bucky Bighorns! I would say that for my current hunting areas this method really wouldn't apply unless I just wanted to experiment or change climbing tactics. Plus the cost to switch over is more than I'd like to spend because I have other equipment I'd like to update. That being said there are other areas in the future where this method could be perfect so I thank everyone for their info and input I really appreciate it!
I'm currently hunting a couple of urban areas that have limited access and locations to setup stands so being mobile isn't as important as having a preset location. Right now I'm trying to come up with an alternative platform solution to replace the Ameristeps and the screw in steps for my areas. Now if I can do that I'll be really happy! Thanks again for all the info I will keep it in mind for future use!
Roger