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How Long to One Stick Climb to 20'?

I posted a quick summary video of gear changes I made between my 2018 and my 2019 single stick climbing setup. I made the changes primarily as an attempt to quiet the "noisy" aspects but I also made some changes to help with wet/freezing gear and some safety aspects.


For reference my 2018 system in summarized here.

A typical hunt set up for me this year. (Single Stick Climb Video)

I thought I'd put together a video of the single stick climbing method, tree setup and descent I used this year. I have some more detailed videos I'm still processing and will upload later. I hope you enjoy. Edit: Added a couple of links to more detailed videos with descriptions of the methods.
saddlehunter.com

Also, @SloMo's aider mods are covered in this thread. Thanks SloMo!

If you use step aiders then check this out.

I`m doing what I can in preparation for the upcoming season. I`m done scouting for the day and figured I would share this vid. I love using these aiders and despite how you hunt, if you climb a tree you might want to look at these. I bought 1 then bought a 3 pack. Check them out in person on...
saddlehunter.com
 
I climb,hang and rappell off the same line and the srt hybrid device allows me to bale out anywhere in the process. When srt became popular in arborist work changeover was always the dangerous aspect. To me if you can be attached all the way up and down this provides the most safety.
 
cedar paul said:
I climb,hang and rappell off the same line and the srt hybrid device allows me to bale out anywhere in the process. When srt became popular in arborist work changeover was always the dangerous aspect. To me if you can be attached all the way up and down this provides the most safety.
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I agree but I hunt away from home out of a camper most of the season. And, since I am remote I hunt in most all weather conditions and hanging from my rappel rope in the rain for 4 hours thoroughly soaks the rope. The next day when it is suddenly below freezing makes the rappel rope unmanageable. That is the primary reason I went to short tethers and can rotate between.
 
Makes sense. I pull up my rope and put the excess in my pack to try and keep it dry.
 
boyne bowhunter said:
I agree but I hunt away from home out of a camper most of the season. And, since I am remote I hunt in most all weather conditions and hanging from my rappel rope in the rain for 4 hours thoroughly soaks the rope. The next day when it is suddenly below freezing makes the rappel rope unmanageable. That is the primary reason I went to short tethers and can rotate between.
Click to expand...

Couldn’t agree more. After using my rappel rope as both my tether and rap rope for a full season, found that after a rain and freeze, what a pain it was to rappel with via a figure 8. Now I use a short tether to get up the tree and hunt from. Then pull out the rap rope when I’m done for the day.
 
boyne bowhunter said:
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
Click to expand...
Great video, I'm another ofg and just completed making a 1 stick rig, now I just need to get off my ass and give it a try
 
jakhammer said:
Great video, I'm another ofg and just completed making a 1 stick rig, now I just need to get off my ass and give it a try
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Try it multiple times, watch a one stick video after each attempt. Then it will become easier


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Great video. Your original got me to try one-sticking and that's all I used this year. When I grow up I want to be as smooth and quiet as you.

In dry weather I hook up my rappel line/Safeguard to my bridge and leave it slack and put the coiled rappel line in my backpack. The reasons I do this then are 1) I'm not going to get any more busted by deer than I would have from the climb up 2) I am doing everything in good light and with a clear head (post-shot adrenalin rush is not conducive to clear thinking for me) 3) if for some reason I am missing something or there is an issue I have time and daylight to deal with it. When it's time to go I just have to switch my weight to the Safeguard/rappel line, unhook my tether and descend.


SILhunter said:
For all you guys that 1 stick would one of the small platforms that attaches to the top of a stick work while doing this or would it get in the way?
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I have an OAL Scout on my single stick and it works great. Never had any issues with side loads. I have a two-step aider so by the time I step on the Scout I have had all my weight on the stick for a couple of moves and it is dug in pretty well.
I
 
Pilk64 said:
This is a well oiled method...Joe makes this look quite easy...he has put in his practice time for sure
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Imitation makes it easier. That is why I say try it and then watch him again or even someone else to perfect what you are doing, easily. Joe's first video's helped me. Shorter moves are easier and faster in the end.
 
Last edited:

Another slightly different way to one stick


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Ontariofarmer said:
Imitation makes it easier. That is why I say try it and then watch him again or even someone else to perfect what you are doing, easily. Joe's first video's helped me. Shorter moves are easier and faster in the end.
Click to expand...
Efficiency is the key...he makes it look effortless...but I will bet the first time people try this they will be using a lot of effort likely even breaking a good sweat
 
Pilk64 said:
Efficiency is the key...he makes it look effortless...but I will bet the first time people try this they will be using a lot of effort likely even breaking a good sweat
Click to expand...

I certainly did. It is easy with practice.


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Ontariofarmer said:
I certainly did. It is easy with practice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
was it easy the first time?...curious because I want to get a one stick for out of state hunts that dont allow spurs...was it taxing?...Im 56 not 36 when nothing was taxing on the cardio...lol
 
I didn’t have time to watch or read in detail yet, but what is the most common way of attaching stick to your person so you dont drop it while climbing?
 
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