Steps and aider

[Peterk1234]

Okay, this vid is of me using the Steps and my whoopie sling. The Steps just came in the mail today, so other than the two Steps I have played around with for the past couple of weeks, I have zero experience. I also selected a tree that has a very soft bark and is a pain in the ass with the Steps. Even with no experience and the challenging bark, it was not that time consuming to set six Steps. Having the Step overhead is a huge advantage for me because it gives me something very stable to hold. The whoopie sling works well, and I really have little concern of kick out. The line is so thin, and so easy to store away into the smallest of pockets. Even when Steps are not on perfectly, they hold plenty. Now I need to practice. Gotta figure out how much slack in my lineman's belt when I am climbing, and better step storage management on the way down.

All in all I like the system. I think I will be able to get up into position, including platform, in ten minutes. I will need to figure out if I want to add a Step above the platform to get up or use my tether and just hook the whoppie to it. I have tried that a few feet off the ground and it works, plus that way the tether is already in place to hook into once on the platform.

So, the bag...... man I would sacrifice a pinky to have that thing be a half inch bigger. Gotta figure out a way to stretch it.

 

[bigjoe]

Great job with the steps. You look very comfortable.

 

[JRwk]

Okay, this vid is of me using the Steps and my whoopie sling. ... Gotta figure out how much slack in my lineman's belt when I am climbing, and better step storage management on the way down.

I have the same issue with slack when ascending. Can anyone assist with suggestions on getting used to handling the lineman's belt so that it doesn't catch and stop you from ascending, like Peter shows in his video?

I'd also be interested in comments on descending using the aider. Not much footage or tips exist on safety issues or tips on descending.

Jeff R.

 

[Peterk1234]

I have the same issue with slack when ascending. Can anyone assist with suggestions on getting used to handling the lineman's belt so that it doesn't catch and stop you from ascending, like Peter shows in his video?

I'd also be interested in comments on descending using the aider. Not much footage or tips exist on safety issues or tips on descending.

Jeff R.

Jeff, I worked on this today and I think I have it figured out. I should have videoed it. The key is to lean against the lineman's all the time. It is safer, and added so much more stability. I could actually let go with both hands if I wanted to. The key is to trust the lineman's to do its job. It made a huge difference. Even when all my weight is on the aider, having tension on the lineman made all the difference. Worked great.

 

[BRAVEHEART]

Jeff, I worked on this today and I think I have it figured out. I should have videoed it. The key is to lean against the lineman's all the time. It is safer, and added so much more stability. I could actually let go with both hands if I wanted to. The key is to trust the lineman's to do its job. It made a huge difference. Even when all my weight is on the aider, having tension on the lineman made all the difference. Worked great.

You climb pretty well for a new guy, lol! Tension on the lineman's belt is a must. Also make sure that it's at least at waist height or above to avoid creating an accelerated load if a fall should occur creating an uncomfortable and possibly dangerous scenario. Nice job.

 

[swampsnyper]

You have to move the lineman belt up every step. When you are stepping up with the aider you tend to want to go to the next step quick to get out of the aider and that makes you do 2 steps before lifting your linemans belt. I do the same thing. It’s frustrating when it holds you back from taking the next step.