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Stickless climbing ?

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DaveT1963

Well-Known Member
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Dec 2, 2014
Messages
3,511
Just curious, for you guys that do the one stick method - Why not just climb with a second tree there and ropeman that is attached to a 5 step aider? Why use a stick at all? Seems like you could just work up the tree with reg tree tether with ropeman on it, then a second tree tether right below it with a ropeman and 5 step aider? Think I am going to have to give this a shot - can't imagine it getting any lighter then that?
 
Would be doable but with no steps to grab onto walking up the aider would be a lot harder. Another big plus to using the stick is you have a platform to stand on when you get up the tree.
 
flinginairos said:
Would be doable but with no steps to grab onto walking up the aider would be a lot harder. Another big plus to using the stick is you have a platform to stand on when you get up the tree.
Click to expand...

I thought about the hand hold - easy fit is to tie a long prussic on top tether and use as a hand hold. I am going to order an Aider - or some tubing to make one and play with this. I can see my minimalist saddle and two tethers fitting inside a pocket on my pack. I did the solar Neptune no stick climb using just two runners a few times and it was difficult. But I did not have a hand hold and only one loop to step up on. It actually worked pretty good but thing this could be better? I am also thinking leaving my lineman's belt on would make it easier to stand upright and close to the tree??? Will need to toy with this some.

I seldom stand on my stick anyways so that isn't a big concern
 
Another issue you're going to have is getting your feet in/out of the aider with no setoff from the tree. The stick serves to keep the aider away from the tree to get your foot in easily. It may not be an issue since you'll be hanging and will be able to use a hand to pull the aider away from the tree when stepping in.

Like Flingin said, you still need a platform. I'm thinking one of your assassin seat platforms with a 5 step aider attached to it could be the ticket?
 
DaveT1963 said:
flinginairos said:
Would be doable but with no steps to grab onto walking up the aider would be a lot harder. Another big plus to using the stick is you have a platform to stand on when you get up the tree.
Click to expand...

I thought about the hand hold - easy fit is to tie a long prussic on top tether and use as a hand hold. I am going to order an Aider - or some tubing to make one and play with this. I can see my minimalist saddle and two tethers fitting inside a pocket on my pack. I did the solar Neptune no stick climb using just two runners a few times and it was difficult. But I did not have a hand hold and only one loop to step up on. It actually worked pretty good but thing this could be better? I am also thinking leaving my lineman's belt on would make it easier to stand upright and close to the tree??? Will need to toy with this some.

I seldom stand on my stick anyways so that isn't a big concern
Click to expand...

Biggest thing to watch for with the aider is kicking out to the side if the tip of your boot slips off the tree. I've done that a few times one stick climbing and it scares you lol but with the tether hooked up you don't go anywhere.
 
Re: RE: Stickless climbing ?

DaveT1963 said:
Just curious, for you guys that do the one stick method - Why not just climb with a second tree there and ropeman that is attached to a 5 step aider? Why use a stick at all? Seems like you could just work up the tree with reg tree tether with ropeman on it, then a second tree tether right below it with a ropeman and 5 step aider? Think I am going to have to give this a shot - can't imagine it getting any lighter then that?
Click to expand...
My biggest issue was getting my boot started after every move. I needed to grab the aider and get it deep into my boot. This sets the distance between the aider and the tree for each subsequent step. The stick keeps the aider off the tree so I dont need to use my hears to position the aider.
 
DIY Sportsman (bowhunter15) did a good job of showing the issues in one of his recent videos.

[youtube]b50qjvgiHEY[/youtube]
 
Yes I tried that already using a 5 step aider and a prusic knot. I went up a telephone pole and honestly didnt go more than 1 move and realized it was too dangerous for me. The aider kicked out, and there wasnt any stability. With the 1 stick method, you have that solid hand hold that makes all the difference in my opinion. Plus as noted by others, the aider is against the tree and you have to fiddle with it to get your foot in. I would use that stick in the string method that was posted on here before I tried an aider again.
 
Good grief!! Be sure to bring a camouflage headband along to catch the buckets of sweat that are sure to be streaming down you face doing this. It seems like this method is increasing rather than reducing the effort needed to reach a comfortable hunting height. Look forward to any videos .
 
Thanks Bass...... Was just curious and i think I'm going to try it but with a little different approach. I'll keep it to myself don't want to cause anyone to have to buy a headband
 
:lol: Lol. You got me DaveT ! What can I say?
 
I agree 100% with bh15's assessment in his video. This was the progression that led me to the single stick yrs ago. Started with solar's sling strap, then went to a multi step aider, then to 3 multi step aiders, & final to a single stick with a single step aider. The major drawback to the aider(s) was I was using only a hang-on at the time & the aider didn't offer enough stability to hang the stand. Climbing was ok, but not as fast & took more effort than the stick.

Since using my saddle more I've found climbing with the mini LW stick is considerably harder than using the 32" LW. It's all about the hand hold & let me add solid hand hold that the 32"er offers.

Multi sticks, single stick, aiders, rope, etc all have there place & none are prefect. I've found the single 32" stick to be the best all around fit.
 
DaveT1963 said:
Thanks Bass...... Was just curious and i think I'm going to try it but with a little different approach. I'll keep it to myself don't want to cause anyone to have to buy a headband
Click to expand...
I wouldn't set out to diminish anyone's idea. Perhaps it sounded that way and if it was interpreted that way then I offer an apology. Interested in the result of your findings!!
 
Cbigbear said:
I agree 100% with bh15's assessment in his video. This was the progression that led me to the single stick yrs ago. Started with solar's sling strap, then went to a multi step aider, then to 3 multi step aiders, & final to a single stick with a single step aider. The major drawback to the aider(s) was I was using only a hang-on at the time & the aider didn't offer enough stability to hang the stand. Climbing was ok, but not as fast & took more effort than the stick.

Since using my saddle more I've found climbing with the mini LW stick is considerably harder than using the 32" LW. It's all about the hand hold & let me add solid hand hold that the 32"er offers.

Multi sticks, single stick, aiders, rope, etc all have there place & none are prefect. I've found the single 32" stick to be the best all around fit.
Click to expand...

Right now I'm using 3 LW sticks (32") with 3 CMI Aiders (3 steps each). I have an LW Assassin seat attached to the top of my third stick for my platform. This is working pretty well for me honestly. I think I'm going to give the 1 stick method a try when the weather warms up.

Question - will the seat platform negatively impact me?
 
Re: RE: Re: Stickless climbing ?

g2outdoors said:
Cbigbear said:
I agree 100% with bh15's assessment in his video. This was the progression that led me to the single stick yrs ago. Started with solar's sling strap, then went to a multi step aider, then to 3 multi step aiders, & final to a single stick with a single step aider. The major drawback to the aider(s) was I was using only a hang-on at the time & the aider didn't offer enough stability to hang the stand. Climbing was ok, but not as fast & took more effort than the stick.

Since using my saddle more I've found climbing with the mini LW stick is considerably harder than using the 32" LW. It's all about the hand hold & let me add solid hand hold that the 32"er offers.

Multi sticks, single stick, aiders, rope, etc all have there place & none are prefect. I've found the single 32" stick to be the best all around fit.
Click to expand...

Right now I'm using 3 LW sticks (32") with 3 CMI Aiders (3 steps each). I have an LW Assassin seat attached to the top of my third stick for my platform. This is working pretty well for me honestly. I think I'm going to give the 1 stick method a try when the weather warms up.

Question - will the seat platform negatively impact me?
Click to expand...
No but you might want to move your seat down do you can keep it upright when climbing. At least that is how I have mine set up.
 
Here's my stick less climbing method

cd40d88717ecda68c2570d0429c0bf36.jpg
 
You've got the wheels turning in my head for my spike camp hunts. 7.5 lbs for 3 sticks vs one length of tubular webbing? I'm gonna do some testing this summer. I can put in a bit more effort climbing the tree to make up for ditching 6-7 lbs in my pack.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
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