So late last year I decided that I hate myself, so my son and I are taking up bow hunting.
Fast forward to today and I had my first climb using a Cruzr XC saddle and an EWO one stick with the ultimate platform. Before I went up, I spent some time on the ground just getting used to how the tether felt and getting a feel for rappelling with a Madrock. Here are things I learned that I feel the YouTube videos don't tell you:
First of all, the first climb is fairly easy. It's a little awkward at first because it's a new movement and you have to trust yourself and the equipment.
The first time I moved my stick was a little nerve wracking. Saying I was scared is probably going too far. But it was a strange feeling for sure. I 100% felt more comfortable using my linesmen belt in the transition of moving my tether higher. I've seen so many people in videos do their moves without the belt. That's certainly not something that I feel like I'll ever be comfortable with doing. Having the belt cinch me into the tree made all the difference for me.
I also had to adjust my location on the tree with the first move. I hadn't taken into account the slight lean as it went up and I could definitely feel gravity winning as I struggled to keep myself from slightly swinging around the tree. So on the first move of the stick I adjusted and life was much better.
When I started to come down, despite all the warnings I've read and all the times I've heard it in videos, I almost forgot to hook up my pull line before going back down. I had already removed my stick, clipped it to the saddle and was starting to pull the Madrock when I realized that I hadn't hooked it up. There's just so many things you're trying to process and be sure to do, all at once. Fortunately, I didn't forget in the end. What I DID forget however, is to remove my tether lock. I used a 3D printed clip on one that I made. It must hold pretty well because I had to pull HARD to finally get it to pop off from the ground.
Overall, I was in the tree for about 1.25 hours. I basically just sat up there and moved to a few different positions. I was worried about comfort and I can say that it was not uncomfortable in any way. I ended with my feet at about 10-11 feet off the ground, as the tree forked there and was no longer anywhere near straight
I'm looking forward to getting out more and more as it warms up.
Fast forward to today and I had my first climb using a Cruzr XC saddle and an EWO one stick with the ultimate platform. Before I went up, I spent some time on the ground just getting used to how the tether felt and getting a feel for rappelling with a Madrock. Here are things I learned that I feel the YouTube videos don't tell you:
First of all, the first climb is fairly easy. It's a little awkward at first because it's a new movement and you have to trust yourself and the equipment.
The first time I moved my stick was a little nerve wracking. Saying I was scared is probably going too far. But it was a strange feeling for sure. I 100% felt more comfortable using my linesmen belt in the transition of moving my tether higher. I've seen so many people in videos do their moves without the belt. That's certainly not something that I feel like I'll ever be comfortable with doing. Having the belt cinch me into the tree made all the difference for me.
I also had to adjust my location on the tree with the first move. I hadn't taken into account the slight lean as it went up and I could definitely feel gravity winning as I struggled to keep myself from slightly swinging around the tree. So on the first move of the stick I adjusted and life was much better.
When I started to come down, despite all the warnings I've read and all the times I've heard it in videos, I almost forgot to hook up my pull line before going back down. I had already removed my stick, clipped it to the saddle and was starting to pull the Madrock when I realized that I hadn't hooked it up. There's just so many things you're trying to process and be sure to do, all at once. Fortunately, I didn't forget in the end. What I DID forget however, is to remove my tether lock. I used a 3D printed clip on one that I made. It must hold pretty well because I had to pull HARD to finally get it to pop off from the ground.
Overall, I was in the tree for about 1.25 hours. I basically just sat up there and moved to a few different positions. I was worried about comfort and I can say that it was not uncomfortable in any way. I ended with my feet at about 10-11 feet off the ground, as the tree forked there and was no longer anywhere near straight
I'm looking forward to getting out more and more as it warms up.