how does this compare to the muddy cleat? night and day difference? I'm at the point of just building a 1 stick using EWO parts. Cleat vs button is where I'm at.
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How Long to One Stick Climb to 20'?
- Thread starter boyne bowhunter
- Start date
Does anyone just use their rappel rope to climb with and then use it as your tether when you reach hunting height?
There are three sizes of ronstan cleats. The middle size is strong enough unless you are over 250 pounds. They are lighter than muddy cleats and just as effective. High quality 5 mm or 6 mm rope - not amsteel - is what I use on this cleat so compared to a muddy cleat and a muddy rope you will gain a significant weight advantage .
any idea if the oplux works with the small? 8mm is on the top end for the small size.
I had the exact same question. I had trouble with this and eventually went back to just girth hitching the tree through a sewn eye.
Thanks for taking the time to post these videos. Much appreciated.I thought I'd post a video demonstrating how simple, quick and quiet single stick climbing can be. I also included a timed look at my descent process and how long it takes to pack up and head out. Also, remember, I'm a self-described OFG (old fat guy), if I can do it anyone can. I hope this helps some of you considering trying single stick climbing.
Gear List:
Carabiners: Black Diamond Positrons
Climbing:
Short Tether: Samson Predator Rope
Distel Hitch: 6mm Samson Accessory Cord
Distel Tender: AeroHunter Saddle Accessory loop
Stick: Modified Hawk Helium (cut to ~21 inches long and steps moved to 19.5" spacing, Harken Cam-Matic 150 cam cleat and 6mm accessory cord)
Stick Aider: 24" GM climbing aider modified per @SloMo's video
Screamer: Cassin X-Draw
Girth Hitch Link: 3/8" steel threaded chain link
Descent:
Rope: 40' of Tuefelberger Tachyon
Ascender: Madrock Safeguard
Pull down rope: Paracord and keychain biner on an kite string reel
What rope for a cam cleat... not amsteel. Oplux will definitely work well. You could use sterling 6 mm TRC. It is cheaper and lighter and still rated over 3400 pounds. Unless you weigh over 250 pounds. It may even be as strong as the rope on a muddy stick or a lone wolf strap.
I use this... I will probably get flak over it but it is rated at 5000 pounds and is 5 mm and is expensive. I have used this for 2 years.
www.mec.ca
I use this... I will probably get flak over it but it is rated at 5000 pounds and is 5 mm and is expensive. I have used this for 2 years.
Maxim 5mm Techcord | MEC
5mm Techcord: A high-strength, lightweight cord for slinging hexes, solid stem friends and more. It is stronger, more supple, and more durable, with a higher melting point than spectra o
www.mec.ca
I don't have much of a problem with a delta link. Perhaps you use a different knot to attach the delta link. I use this.
Slippage comes from the link sliding back down the mainline when not loaded.
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I do. Been thinking of switching this season to a short tether for the climb up and while hunting. Then when ready to leave for the day, pull out the 6mm rope to rappel down with that.
Warmer weather and dry weather use the rappel line to climb and rappel.
Sorry @sojourner, I missed this one.
IMO every climbing method sucks on a severely leaning tree. I must admit I try to avoid severely leaning trees but if that's my only option I tend to put the stick directly on the underside of the lean and hang off the side when moving it. I don't like putting the stick in line with the lean just because I'm afraid it might tend to kick out. The uphill side of the lean means the aider is laying against the tree and it makes getting my foot it more difficult so I put the stick on the underside and let gravity help me swing to the stick when I'm ready to step up.
Learners are awful, lol. If I had videoed my last climb up a leaner the entire audio would have been one long beep.
I know the mantra is “any tree, any time”, but leaners and poison ivy covered trees get a hard stop from me.
I’d like to master climbing a leaner. Sometimes if i get in a straight and limbless tree, I feel that a climber would have worked. Kind of like I am not getting my money’s worth with a saddle.
Thanks @boyne bowhunter for the reply.
I’d like to master climbing a leaner. Sometimes if i get in a straight and limbless tree, I feel that a climber would have worked. Kind of like I am not getting my money’s worth with a saddle.
Thanks @boyne bowhunter for the reply.
That's a valid point, however I look at it in a little different light after using my climber for 20 years. For me the saddle (or climber) are just a means of hunting from an elevated position. It doesn't really matter which one I use as long as it serves my purpose. The difference for me between a climber and a saddle is primarily stealth. The climber was always noisy walking in, setting to the tree and climbing. The saddle set up for me is quieter in all of these areas. If I'm hunting from a "telephone pole" from my saddle, it just means I got there quieter!I know the mantra is “any tree, any time”, but leaners and poison ivy covered trees get a hard stop from me.
I’d like to master climbing a leaner. Sometimes if i get in a straight and limbless tree, I feel that a climber would have worked. Kind of like I am not getting my money’s worth with a saddle.
Thanks @boyne bowhunter for the reply.
That's a valid point, however I look at it in a little different light after using my climber for 20 years. For me the saddle (or climber) are just a means of hunting from an elevated position. It doesn't really matter which one I use as long as it serves my purpose. The difference for me between a climber and a saddle is primarily stealth. The climber was always noisy walking in, setting to the tree and climbing. The saddle set up for me is quieter in all of these areas. If I'm hunting from a "telephone pole" from my saddle, it just means I got there quieter!
I agree for the most part especially walking in. Climbing up I am not sure if there is a whole lot of difference. If careful with the climber I can get in pretty quiet. Now the walk in I agree as it seems every branch would hit off that thing. Plus the occasional times when the cable would hook up on a limb or log and cause you to lose your balance. LOL. I am actually trying to get rid of my climber as I don't see myself ever taking it in the woods again.
So Ia newb for sure.. buts here my thoughts, and the experienced crowd can chime in.
Climb with tether...hunt with tether. Light quick, not in the way.. No danger of a change over at initial set up. Not in the way when moving around the tree... No need to get it "out of the way" at ground level. If you climb down....dont bother to even switch. BUT keep a rappel ON YOU in case you need it. No one wants to be a cat up a tree. If you want to rappel down... from the paltform...planned .. it seems pretty simple to load the rappel rope before releasing load completely on the tether... If you are on the tether, no platform... and need to get your rappel set up, and loaded on to it while hanging on the tether- well lets just say practice THAT move before the emergency, right???
Climb on the long rope, stay on the long rope. Some issues solved but you need to manage your rope once you are up there. If you are going to rappel... planned, from the platform- heres the question. Do climb, hunt, and hang the WHOLE time on device that is DESIGNED to let you DOWN! Do you trust it. Or--- do you climb, hunt, and hang on a prussic....then switch to a descender for a rappel, or climb down? And yes that load, unload, switch on your single rope requires thought and practice as well.
OR, do just climb Up, hang and hunt from your prussic on the long rope. Then one-stick down, one move at a time. all on the long rope, keeping rappel gear for emergencies only.
Obviously the issues are loading from one device, or rope to another. Is there a wrong way if you practice?
I dont trust the IDEA of hanging all day on a GriGri or other descender. But Ill admit I havent played with it. Its DESIGNED to let you down while you and/or a partner are paying close attention to it. BUT>>> add a stopper knot below it. Maybe you've got your long rope. bomb proof system for safety and convenience. Just add an autoblock for the trip down? Just keep a short tether on you for limbs while climbing?
I think the only WRONG way is.... One stick, Short tether, no long rope. CAT UP A TREE....CALL THE FIRE DEPT scenario. Guys DO manage to get out of that though. Retrieve the stick with grappling gear. . Girth hitched tree aider for the trip down..... shiny down. ...... Aider step the rope, lower the prussic -repeat..., etc. For me...Ya got protocol and practice any change in gear and rope. Back them up with an equally safe, and practice
Absolutely right. Do what works for you but be sure to have a backup plan if something doesn't go according to plan.