I think I found my aider

[Peterk1234]

I have been splicing anything I can get my hands on. So here is the latest. Whoopie sling made from 1/8 inch amsteel (2,000 lb strength+/- ), threaded through a bit of webbing for some abrasion protection. The hook will be replaced with a rubber coated s-hook with safety latch. This thing weighs nothing, fits into my pant pocket is not bulky and doesn't dangle all over the place when I use it to climb. I think this one will be a winner for me.

 

[bigjoe]

Good for you. Have you tried hooking onto the The crossbar Between the two standoffs? My only thought is that using the crossbar to clip into the step more secure.

However, by clipping it and then v it’s probably in the sliding.

 

[Peterk1234]

I have. I agree that it probably will be more secure. I was worried that on the crossbar it could slide left or right but as I started to play around with it I was not finding it to be a problem. The steps are really amazing. I have even put them on loose, intentionally. They may alter and slide a bit, but always end up locking on. I really need to bite the bullet and order a full set of steps now that I know I can set it up easily. Two steps are just not enough to really put everything through its paces.

 

[Tedd]

New guy here - So is the splice for length adjustment or just a way of tying the rope at the correct length?. You use this and move it each time so you only need 1/2 the number of steps? How many total steps d you need?
Could you permanently tie an aider to each step?
TD

 

[Peterk1234]

Hi Tedd,

The whoopie sling is adjustable in length. Yes, I would move it each time I go up or down a step. Five steps plus a platform should get me to around 20 feet. I have toyed with the idea of an aider on each step but others have tried it and it appears to create too much bulk and gets tangled up when packed.

Look at the RS Aider thread. Lots of great info in that one. RS keeps experimenting with aiders and the steps. He has a lot of great info.

 

[redsquirrel]

Hi Peter, keep up the good work! My only concern with your aider is IMO it will be tough to adjust. I love whoopie slings but they usually require 2 hands to adjust them easily. Your design is very similar to the wild edge aider. If you just want to adjust it once and use it on every step it will work fine. The advantage I found with my aider design is that I can use it to lift my foot up higher than I otherwise could which helps me get a little extra height. Keep at it thought because what works for me may not work for others, I just wanted to give you my input.

 

[Peterk1234]

Appreciate the feedback. That is why I am posting these ideas. Most of you guys have already thought of them

It requires two hands for sure, but so far it has adjusted fairly easily. I have not thought of using the aider to help lift the foot though. Interesting idea. I like the fact that I have less clutter, but the true test will be to go up more than one or two steps. I just found a thread that Hickstick posted not long ago. He was playing with a whoopie sling as well. I wonder how it is working for him.

 

[Plinker22]

Posts like this are exactly what the site is for. Keep thinking & sharing.

 

[Apex7]

I really like Red's climbing aider along with the WildEdge aider. I use them together on my WildEdge steps . I hook the WildEdge aider on the step and then use Red's climbing aider with a ropeman to step into the other aider then move Red's aider up and then remove the WildEdge aider and stand on the step. Put another step as high as zi can reach and start tje process al over again.