Lone wolf handclimber/ Saddle combo Part 3

[2Sloe]

That’s what worries me. I’m old and 3/4 crippled and not very agile

I’m 59.

 

[rutjr]

That’s what worries me. I’m old and 3/4 crippled and not very agile

I got pretty excited when I saw this. I bought the ultimaidder and found I didn't like how far out The aidder was from the tree and I couldn't get up over the lip of the stand. I'm old (68) and fat.

 

[rutjr]

So I've spent the last few days messing with my stuff and for this fat old man it just doesn't get any easier than the LWHC. My complaint with it is starting on the bottom of the tree and having to adjust it a couple times during the climb and getting around limbs. I feel I've solved this problem for me using a 15" stick with a three step aider. I use the stick at the bottom of the tree and set the climber just above it. Climb the stick then step onto the platform put the stick away, finish climbing the tree with the LWHC. If have to go around branches I pull out the stick and climb on it and set the LWHC above the branch and climb back on the climber. I repell down.

 

[Aries]

Will a 18v Dewalt hand drill get this job done or do you need something more powerful? I've tried a piece of rubber with zip tie with good results and I'm thinking about doing the permanent mod.

 

[Tiffany B]

Will a 18v Dewalt hand drill get this job done or do you need something more powerful? I've tried a piece of rubber with zip tie with good results and I'm thinking about doing the permanent mod.

Yes that will work. That's what I did. Just started with a smaller bit first

 

[Aeds151]

Im currently using the LWHC live from tree. This thing is too spongy. Its apparent that the teeth need to be longer and a little more aggressive. I tried to position on a doe that was just under me but felt confident I would
Make a noise with this thing since I cant get the LWHC to lock in to tree. The does left without being alarmed so I practiced how I would do it without them being there and it slid down the tree. Of course i had it tethered to me. I also notice that when ever I need to make an adjustment to the belt, I pull in what I need and it never cam locks over where I need it. By the time I find where it locks over, the belt pulled out to original position. I hope someone makes a climbing platform for next season. Any tips in the mean time. No angle mod on this one.


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[mtsrunner]

Im currently using the LWHC live from tree. This thing is too spongy. Its apparent that the teeth need to be longer and a little more aggressive. I tried to position on a doe that was just under me but felt confident I would
Make a noise with this thing since I cant get the LWHC to lock in to tree. The does left without being alarmed so I practiced how I would do it without them being there and it slid down the tree. Of course i had it tethered to me. I also notice that when ever I need to make an adjustment to the belt, I pull in what I need and it never cam locks over where I need it. By the time I find where it locks over, the belt pulled out to original position. I hope someone makes a climbing platform for next season. Any tips in the mean time. No angle mod on this one.


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I think it just takes practice. I have used mine for two seasons now. I love the ‘spongy’ feel. I think it actually keeps it quieter. No creaking or popping due to it being ‘locked’ to the tree like traditional platforms.
As far as tips, I’m not sure that what I do will work for everyone, but I took [mention]MaxJac [/mention] ‘s advise when I first started and tethered the middle of my foot loop to my saddle. If I need to re-adjust, it’s as simple as grabbing my piece of cord and lifting the footloop enough to slide my feet back in. I keep my Amsteel footloop kind of tight. I have great control this way and can make quiet, precise movements.


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[everestwc]

I’ve been using this ratcheting rope to secure the hand climber. I personally have preferred it not moving.

 

[Aeds151]

I think it just takes practice. I have used mine for two seasons now. I love the ‘spongy’ feel. I think it actually keeps it quieter. No creaking or popping due to it being ‘locked’ to the tree like traditional platforms.
As far as tips, I’m not sure that what I do will work for everyone, but I took [mention]MaxJac [/mention] ‘s advise when I first started and tethered the middle of my foot loop to my saddle. If I need to re-adjust, it’s as simple as grabbing my piece of cord and lifting the footloop enough to slide my feet back in. I keep my Amsteel footloop kind of tight. I have great control this way and can make quiet, precise movements.


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I have done exactly this for 2 seasons now. Still hate it. Some trees it feels good on the rest be prepared to have legs dangling. No way I can trust it with a wary mature buck in a still environment. Todays mess didnt have me
busted only due to high winds and rain.


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[rutjr]

I keep trying other methods and I keep coming back to the LWHC.

 

[sweats]

I use a LWHC sometimes and it's definitely my lightest setup. There are some things I don't like about it though.

It's not designed to be stood upon and we've seen reports of them cracking. I really don't like adjusting the belt as I go up the tree. I can do it, but I'm not very flexible and find it really awkward.

A small purpose built climbing platform that addresses those 2 things would be awesome as long as it wasn't too heavy.

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[everestwc]

I use a LWHC sometimes and it's definitely my lightest setup. There are some things I don't like about it though.

It's not designed to be stood upon and we've seen reports of them cracking. I really don't like adjusting the belt as I go up the tree. I can do it, but I'm not very flexible and find it really awkward.

A small purpose built climbing platform that addresses those 2 things would be awesome as long as it wasn't too heavy.

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I put a 18” rope step aider on mine and use it to help get past the larger part of the bottom trunk, I rarely have to adjust up to 18’ hunting height or so. Perhaps that could help you too?

 

[Aeds151]

I run webbing across for feet then tie in another piece of webbing to the foot strap with a carabiner on the end. I set the
Lwhc on tree then clip carabiner to one of the opening squares I have wrapped with vet tape. This creates a webbing loop to be used as initial climbing aider. Once I am on the lwhc, I unclip carabiner and clip it to a lineman loop to have it tethered to me. This aider/tether also aides in pulling up foot strap to slip feet in. LWHC method would be my absolute go to if the thing had some real teeth to bite into the tree and not move all over the place. I like how easy it is to adjust the belt but hate the teeth on the belt. Kinda a catch 22. It carries like a dream in hand to place right on the tree upon arrival as well.


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[luckylakes]

I have never used a LW climber but here is the ole boomerang style. Will this real old version work for the the mod or do I need new tubes with the belt clamps etc, as this sounds like it may not be cost effective

 

[everestwc]

I have never used a LW climber but here is the ole boomerang style. Will this real old version work for the the mod or do I need new tubes with the belt clamps etc, as this sounds like it may not be cost effective

I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Give it a go!
You could strap the bottom to the tree if it tries to slip with side pressure.

 

[GeoFish]

I got pretty excited when I saw this. I bought the ultimaidder and found I didn't like how far out The aidder was from the tree and I couldn't get up over the lip of the stand. I'm old (68) and fat.

You have posted a few things that are getting me upset.
Dont you know 60 to 80 is middle age? LOL..
I will be 68 in a couple weeks I refuse to call myself old!@#$%.

 

[rutjr]

You have posted a few things that are getting me upset.
Dont you know 60 to 80 is middle age? LOL..
I will be 68 in a couple weeks I refuse to call myself old!@#$%.

Yeah my wife gets upset at me too! In reality I'm kinda proud that I still do what I do. I think there are more people that can't do what we do then people that can.

 

[jbogg]

I have been using the LoneWolf Handclimber combined with my JX 3 Hybrid for three seasons. Once I am nearing hunting height I will install two Cranford screw in steps. One at the 3 o’clock, and the other at the 9 o’clock positions. Then I will continue climbing for another foot or two being careful to quietly maneuver the strap of my LWHC around the steps. Once seated the strap of the LWHC would sit just above the steps so the two steps and the LWHC were all at equal height. This set up worked well, but it was all too easy to accidentally nudge the LWHC causing it to fall with the strap hanging on the steps.

So, I added a T shaped screw with a 24” bungee attached and hooked on to the outer edge of the platform. You install the screw to the tree at the 6 o’clock position on your way up the tree and continue climbing past it until you feel a little bungee pressure pulling down on the outside edge of the platform. It’s snugs it up to where it is almost impossible to knock it loose by accidentally kicking it. With the addition of the T screw and the bungee I don’t even need the two screw in steps any longer, but I do prefer them for longer hunts. This past Saturday I did my first dark to dark sit in a couple of years. 10 hours straight in the JX 3 without climbing down.