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Climbing method

IAbowhunting

Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2021
Messages
54
I am new to saddle hunting this year and have accumulated most of everything that I am needing and want to hunt with. Current setup is a Cruzer saddle and I’m using three full size hawk helium sticks with cable alders on each stick.
I had the idea that I would for now use all three climbing sticks and use the first two as stationary sticks and my third stick would essentially be a “floater” and I could use it as a one stick to get as high up as needed.

I would like to rappel down after my hunt and just collect the sticks as I descend. Is this worth it financially to purchase close to $300 in gear to safely rappel down the tree? I am considering one sticking it in the future but haven’t fully committed.

Any feedback would be appreciated on if anyone in here has done this or if it’s a terrible idea.


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What is going to cost close to $300 to rappel down? You can get various rated ropes in 30-45 ft, which should be plenty to rappel, for close to $40-$80 depending on which rope you choose.

As far as rappelling method, there's people using figure 8s, atc, mechanicals, and even rope hitches to descend their ropes. Some are as cheap as 10 bucks.

Add in a pull down paracord rope for around $5, and it's not going to be anywhere near $300. You could also throw in a quick/delta link for another $10 bucks.

Regardless of the cost, and what I feel is going to be the overwhelming response is....how much is your life worth? If it cost $300 to do it safely, and you want to do it that way, then it's worth it. But everyone's determination of "worth it" is going to be different.

Edit: I've only got half a season in the saddle. There's a ton of info on every way possible up and down a tree on this site, and a ton of opinions about those methods as well. My question and answer is not meant to be condescending, I'm truly curious where the $300 for rappelling gear came from.
 
Being that you're in Iowa and it's mid October, I'd wait until after the season to start changing everything.

Rappelling adds a new level of complexity and isn't needed when climbing with sticks though I will argue is safer than climbing down sticks but I digress.

Since you mentioned the idea of one-sticking next year, wait until you have a better idea how how you want to climb and base you gear on that. Not that I'm against buying gear to try it out, trying it out while also trying to hunt doesn't make sense.
 
Go to eastern woods outdoors and look up the rappelling kit Standard. You can get a decent setup for under $150.

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What is going to cost close to $300 to rappel down? You can get various rated ropes in 30-45 ft, which should be plenty to rappel, for close to $40-$80 depending on which rope you choose.

As far as rappelling method, there's people using figure 8s, atc, mechanicals, and even rope hitches to descend their ropes. Some are as cheap as 10 bucks.

Add in a pull down paracord rope for around $5, and it's not going to be anywhere near $300. You could also throw in a quick/delta link for another $10 bucks.

Regardless of the cost, and what I feel is going to be the overwhelming response is....how much is your life worth? If it cost $300 to do it safely, and you want to do it that way, then it's worth it. But everyone's determination of "worth it" is going to be different.

Edit: I've only got half a season in the saddle. There's a ton of info on every way possible up and down a tree on this site, and a ton of opinions about those methods as well. My question and answer is not meant to be condescending, I'm truly curious where the $300 for rappelling gear came from.

Lol I don’t have thin skin so throw whatever you got a me and I didn’t take offense at all to your comments

I figured I would just buy some Sterling Vr9 which is $189 for 70 meters, the thought behind that is I would have plenty of extra rope depend on how long it lasts. I have found some gym ropes for much cheaper but not sure how well that would hold up.

I was looking into a mammut 2.0 which I believe is about $40.

Then looking into a belay style carabiner. Not sure if those are really needed.

Accessory cord which depending on how much you buy isn’t more then $10-$15

Quick link for $10

A auto block which to be safe I was looking into the sterling auto block at $18

And a ropebag which the price varies


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Lol I don’t have thin skin so throw whatever you got a me and I didn’t take offense at all to your comments

I figured I would just buy some Sterling Vr9 which is $189 for 70 meters, the thought behind that is I would have plenty of extra rope depend on how long it lasts. I have found some gym ropes for much cheaper but not sure how well that would hold up.

I was looking into a mammut 2.0 which I believe is about $40.

Then looking into a belay style carabiner. Not sure if those are really needed.

Accessory cord which depending on how much you buy isn’t more then $10-$15

Quick link for $10

A auto block which to be safe I was looking into the sterling auto block at $18

And a rope which the price varies


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Add 5' to however high you are climbing. You don't need 70.

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Being that you're in Iowa and it's mid October, I'd wait until after the season to start changing everything.

Rappelling adds a new level of complexity and isn't needed when climbing with sticks though I will argue is safer than climbing down sticks but I digress.

Since you mentioned the idea of one-sticking next year, wait until you have a better idea how how you want to climb and base you gear on that. Not that I'm against buying gear to try it out, trying it out while also trying to hunt doesn't make sense.

That is a very good point. I had my first sit last weekend and just was a pain in the ass trying to get down with my pack, my bow and trying to get my feet in the dang cable aider and at that point I thought…it would be a lot easier to just rappel down like a ninja

Honestly everything looks and sounds easier then it really is and I was just trying to get out of the tree faster and safer


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Add 5' to however high you are climbing. You don't need 70.

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Absolutely don’t need 70 meters but I figured I would use the remaining 190 feet on something lol


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Go to eastern woods outdoors and look up the rappelling kit Standard. You can get a decent setup for under $150.

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I was looking at their site but they don’t have any sterling canyon in stock


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I was looking at their site but they don’t have any sterling canyon in stock


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Orange stripe instead of green. If it isnt your tether, who cares if you are just climbing down.

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Orange stripe instead of green. If it isnt your tether, who cares if you are just climbing down.

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What’s the difference between them both. The only ropes I see on their site are the sterling canyon. Honestly just was going to buy some Sterling Vr9 which is much cheaper then the canyon


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What is going to cost close to $300 to rappel down? You can get various rated ropes in 30-45 ft, which should be plenty to rappel, for close to $40-$80 depending on which rope you choose.

As far as rappelling method, there's people using figure 8s, atc, mechanicals, and even rope hitches to descend their ropes. Some are as cheap as 10 bucks.

Add in a pull down paracord rope for around $5, and it's not going to be anywhere near $300. You could also throw in a quick/delta link for another $10 bucks.

Regardless of the cost, and what I feel is going to be the overwhelming response is....how much is your life worth? If it cost $300 to do it safely, and you want to do it that way, then it's worth it. But everyone's determination of "worth it" is going to be different.

Edit: I've only got half a season in the saddle. There's a ton of info on every way possible up and down a tree on this site, and a ton of opinions about those methods as well. My question and answer is not meant to be condescending, I'm truly curious where the $300 for rappelling gear came from.

What rope would be recommended for rappelling that isn’t sterling canyon?


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VR9 is dynamic and all nylon, the Canyon C-IV and Tech have Technora covers and nylon core. Differences in stretch, water absorption, strength, durability, and cut resistance.
 
VR9 is dynamic and all nylon, the Canyon C-IV and Tech have Technora covers and nylon core. Differences in stretch, water absorption, strength, durability, and cut resistance.

Is that not a good rope to use for saddle hunting / rappelling?


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It’s a good polyester rope. It’s been around forever and is nice if you are going to SRT because it’s really stiff. However, it’s stiffness means it won’t pack away near as small as some other choices.

What would be a better choice


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View attachment 54884
Is this good rope to purchase


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That’s in stock and 0.99/ft at www.doublesteps.com


Can get your prusik cord or loop there also, along with everything else your heart desires!


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