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Just released SteppLadder Aider Youtube video from Andrew
- Thread starter sojourner
- Start date
Bowhunter41002
Well-Known Member
More videos please
Gettin Closer
Well-Known Member
I am going to have to try the "pulling down on the ropes" part. That is a neat trick. I have learned most by trial and error but this 2 minute video summed it all up! What an awesome video for the Wild Edge Stepps!
Andrew,
You really should shorten your linemans belt. Notice in this screen shot where your linemans belt is, it's below you knees. IF you fall that is going to HURT and could possibly make you go inverted. You set your linesman belt and lean back, but then when you go to attach the next step you pull your body closer to the tree, causing your linemans belt to fall down the tree. If you will shorten your linemans belt to where you are much closer to the tree. You never really want to have your linemans belt pulling down or below your belt. Just trying to keep a fellow saddler safe
Thanks,
Boswell
You really should shorten your linemans belt. Notice in this screen shot where your linemans belt is, it's below you knees. IF you fall that is going to HURT and could possibly make you go inverted. You set your linesman belt and lean back, but then when you go to attach the next step you pull your body closer to the tree, causing your linemans belt to fall down the tree. If you will shorten your linemans belt to where you are much closer to the tree. You never really want to have your linemans belt pulling down or below your belt. Just trying to keep a fellow saddler safe
Thanks,
Boswell
Yes very dangerous with all the slack on the LB. That's why I like a ropeman or even a lone wolf strap for one handed adjusting on the fly.
Does anyone know what the total weight would be with 6 steps, bag, and aider. I figure I could get 18ft and was wondering how it would compare to my full size hawk heliums which 3 get me close to 18 with 1 step aiders on each one.
Does anyone know what the total weight would be with 6 steps, bag, and aider. I figure I could get 18ft and was wondering how it would compare to my full size hawk heliums which 3 get me close to 18 with 1 step aiders on each one.
The weight is going to be similar. I have trimmed down heliums and my set ups both weight in the range of 7-8 pounds. The stepps in the bag are much more compact though. I can also get higher with my 6 stepps and my aider which is a big plus for me.
I haven't put this into practice yet, but the thing that turns me off about that method is single point of metal contact of clip and step bar. The noise factor, and it moving around both concern me.
Just watching this video, I came up with a quick fix. Again, I don't know that this is any easier in practice. But I would have to imagine it being a bit safer and quieter. You're spreading the load out across the step bar and the actual step, and naturally balancing load on the aider in the bottom of the loop.
It looks rather complicated, but I included three pictures to show it really isn't. You could leave the sling on the six steps. No additional weight (less than half an ounce). They do cost maybe 6-10.00 each so it's pricey.
Someone can probably come up with a similar concept using accessory cord or amsteel. I just liked this because A- I have it, and it fits perfectly, and B - I trust it. This doesn't have to be super strong, the only weight it should ever support is you stepping up.
Just watching this video, I came up with a quick fix. Again, I don't know that this is any easier in practice. But I would have to imagine it being a bit safer and quieter. You're spreading the load out across the step bar and the actual step, and naturally balancing load on the aider in the bottom of the loop.
It looks rather complicated, but I included three pictures to show it really isn't. You could leave the sling on the six steps. No additional weight (less than half an ounce). They do cost maybe 6-10.00 each so it's pricey.
Someone can probably come up with a similar concept using accessory cord or amsteel. I just liked this because A- I have it, and it fits perfectly, and B - I trust it. This doesn't have to be super strong, the only weight it should ever support is you stepping up.
Did you read the thread on the red squirrel climbing aider?
IMO, too much possibility to get boot caught in sling. You can just clip aider to one side of bottom of V. Not trying to be difficult, just sharing my 0.02 in light of safety concerns.
Nope,
Hahah this seemed to be too simple for me to have figured it out. Going read it now!
Let me know what it thinks. It eliminates hooking on to the step at all. I agree with you, I wasn't a big fan of doing that.
After reading through, I prefer your method for sure.
I still think what I showed is a good way for people to attach the aider from wild edge (or their own homemade version), with the benefit that gravity aids in pulling the stepp evenly straight down. And if the crossbar were to fail, you'd still be attached to the main stepp.
I am glad I found your thread and method before I sold my stepps. I think using 5-7 versus 12-14 may make me hang on to them!
Gettin Closer
Well-Known Member
Not sure I would like the extra rope for the tread of my boot to snag. I have been using the Stepp aider and have not had it hook slide from side to side while climbing. The only noise is if I let the clip part slam shut. That is the case when clipping to anything. Even that is a dull thud if I am not paying attention. I can see a comfort factor in what you are doing with the the strapping in the pictures but I think it might be a bit much to try to make sure everything is perfect in the dark. If yo clipped to the wrong part, it might not be fun. But then again, I tend to overthink things and then go back to original once I have tried everything else....
I think you guys are too smart sometimes. You need a simple minded person's opinion once in a while. Why not just take some hockey tape and wrap around bar and make 2 "knobs" by over wrapping the tape similar to the end of a hockey stick so the hook on the aider doesnt slide and make noise.
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2017
- Messages
- 3,389
Thats a good idea, I am sure some will not want the added weight as minimal as it is. I have not had any issues with the aider sliding on the bar.
The only time the aider will slide over to the side is if the stepp isn't perfect and it twists some. Then it slides to the side. I can't say how much noise it makes when that happens because I'm too busy making sure I don't make noise hitting the ground. Not going to happen but that's what's going through my head. It's a little bit of a pain to hook into the v because of the size of the hook. I hook into the v only on steps I'm suspect of. The more you use it the less of those you will have and you will be able to recognize that one isn't quite right before you step onto it.
I don't know if I ever get quite that much slack in my linesmans belt but it takes a lot of slack to step down 4 feet without moving it. There has been a time or two I ran out of slack climbing down. It's not fun and it's not easy to adjust between solid steps.
I don't know if I ever get quite that much slack in my linesmans belt but it takes a lot of slack to step down 4 feet without moving it. There has been a time or two I ran out of slack climbing down. It's not fun and it's not easy to adjust between solid steps.