Cons to the "one-stick" method?

[Ontariofarmer]

I'd recommend not dropping it. Seriously, tie a piece of paracord that is long enough that it doesn't interfere with moving the stick up/down and secure it to the stick and saddle.

I have picked sticks off the ground several times using a gear grappler and a Doyle’s hoist. Zero problems doing it


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[weekender21]

I one sticked all of last season with a hawk helium that I put an aider and cam cleat on. It worked well enough, but I was losing progess going up the tree. sb220 sent me that video and it got so much better. I hang pretty well upside down to reach for my rope and then just pull it out of the cam cleat. I went from 7 moves to ~25' to 5. Huge difference.

In full transparency, I was using a 30' 9mm rope as my tether and loading a carabiner. I'd use a linesman's belt to keep me connected as I passed my long line over limbs. I was rappelling with an ATC backed up by an autoblock. If I dropped the stick (I never did) I'd just rappel down to it and start climbing again (in theory). I hated my damn rope getting stuck in the tree and brush when trying to pull it down.

This year I'm going to try 3 beast sticks. Sure it's a little heavier than 1 stick and 30' of rope/rappel gear but in terms of bulk, if you're carrying one stick, 3 isn't going to be much of a difference.

Will you be able to get to 25’ with 3 beast sticks?

I was using a 1” tubular aider on my bottom stick but plan to use a larger continuous loop aider and use it on each step.

I know I can get to 20’ with this method using 3 LW sticks. For 25’+ I’ll need a 4th stick.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

I can. 9 feet with the first stick
Plus 15 feet with the next two using a black diamond 6 step aider



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[weekender21]

I need to up my aider game

 

[vabwhntr]

Where LEGAL the drilling the tree using grade 8 bolts is the easiest by far. Preseason you can prepare as many trees as you like. Then you only have to carry one pack of bolts and a hand drill to clean out frozen holes. Spurs might be easier, however I have never tried them so I cannot comment on them. One other thing. Everyone here seems to want to be stealthy and absolutely quiet in the woods. I cant tell you how many times ive been cordless drilling a new tree in season and have had deer come in to check out the sound of the drill. Its amazing. They are such curious animals. Did I just come up with a new deer call?

I am sure you can market that and Walmart will sell it. Just like they did the buck poop several years ago. Amazing what people will buy.

 

[floathunter3]

I have dove off into the stepps and a knaider and swaider. I am excited about the system. I got the 8 step bag and 5 steps up and a 3 stepp ring for a platform.

That's my plan too.

 

[Babshaft]

Will you be able to get to 25’ with 3 beast sticks?

I was using a 1” tubular aider on my bottom stick but plan to use a larger continuous loop aider and use it on each step.

I know I can get to 20’ with this method using 3 LW sticks. For 25’+ I’ll need a 4th stick.

I'll be using an aider with my sticks, so based on past experience I'll be around 18-21'.I won't be going past 20' this year unless I have to. I find the shot angle too severe when they're close. If you need the extra height, do the DaveT: put your tether on and do a couple one stick moves with your third stick to get you to your desired height!

 

[Ontariofarmer]

I need to up my aider game

Use stick 2 to place stick one. You get 9 feet or more with a six step aider

Cam cleats let you place a stick high.

I think doing it that way is easier than one sticking for extra height


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[rnomad]

Con- No way to rapidly descent from the tree if needed.

Sure there is jump!

 

[Ctclimberguy42]

Or Rap down

 

[SouthMsBowhunter]

A Con would be all the slack between tether and bridge hook up while standing on stick and repositioning.

I’m trying this method, but am concerned about the “what if’s” should a strap break while your in between that repositioning?

Any safe way to do this?

 

[Jgetch]

A Con would be all the slack between tether and bridge hook up while standing on stick and repositioning.

I’m trying this method, but am concerned about the “what if’s” should a strap break while your in between that repositioning?

Any safe way to do this?

Linesman.

 

[SouthMsBowhunter]

Yea, just kinda defeats the purpose for weight saving

 

[Jgetch]

Yea, just kinda defeats the purpose for weight saving

A linesman is hardly a weight issue when it comes to safety. Besides you can use a very light rope for a linesman. I never would have imagined one sticking or climbing with any method, besides srt, without a linesman. It’s an essential part of the safety equipment when climbing. I sincerely hope that you reconsider your stance on this issue and do some research here or elsewhere on the importance, use of, and safety of the linesman. I don’t mean to harp and I’m not trying to call you out, I just don’t want to see anyone take a fall if they don’t have to and especially if I could have said something to make a difference.

 

[SouthMsBowhunter]

@Jgetch yea, my statement does come across flippant, not my intent. Very safety conscious and the very reasons I posted my comments.

I’m looking to save weight, but not at the risk of life or limb.

My current linesman ropes are heavy and was hoping that by being already tether to tree I could avoid an extra rope.

Does everyone else use a linesman in addition to being tether?

 

[Jgetch]

@Jgetch yea, my statement does come across flippant, not my intent. Very safety conscious and the very reasons I posted my comments.

I’m looking to save weight, but not at the risk of life or limb.

My current linesman ropes are heavy and was hoping that by being already tether to tree I could avoid an extra rope.

Does everyone else use a linesman in addition to being tether?

I’ve always used a linesman. It’s used as the safety contact when transitioning the tether or moving around limbs and any other situation where the tether isn’t set. I am sorry if I came across strong. I just don’t want anyone getting hurt.

 

[sb220]

@Jgetch yea, my statement does come across flippant, not my intent. Very safety conscious and the very reasons I posted my comments.

I’m looking to save weight, but not at the risk of life or limb.

My current linesman ropes are heavy and was hoping that by being already tether to tree I could avoid an extra rope.

Does everyone else use a linesman in addition to being tether?

I use a sitdrag and rc harness so I have a belay loop to attach my tether to. Having that belay loop eliminates the need for a bridge while climbing, so my linemans rope (6feet of 9mm rope, ropeman and a carabiner) becomes my bridge. Probably doesn't save much weight though when you factor amsteel bridges.
Yes you need to have a linemans belt for this. What do you do about moving your tether past limbs?

 

[SouthMsBowhunter]

@sb220 so far my practice time has been limited to tree with straight trunks until comortable.

When using the linesman in conjunction with the tether hooked up I find myself getting bound up by it when positioning the tether. Normally when I go to Sitdown to reposition the stick and then when trying to get back up.

Not as smooth as I want the process to be.

 

[sb220]

I couldn't imagine trying to position the tether without a linemans myself. just being able to lean back and loosen everything about your tether, then tightening your linemans to get closer to the tree and pushing your tether as high as you can reach. Do you use ropemans for tether and linemans belt?

 

[SouthMsBowhunter]

Ropeman only on tether. So linesman is a two handed operation.

Sorry to have sidetrack the OP’s original question, hopefully we’re all learning.