Whats up with the 'Sladder Climbing system"?

[Jtaylor]

First hunt with the Sladder this morning. No hiccups at all and worked as smooth as I could have hoped! Complete loadout was 16lbs. including everything except my bow, water, clothes, and binos.

Are you using the stirrups as a platform? I have a spot I could use it tomorrow morning for a few hour sit. I'd like to leave the platform at home if the stirrups are comfortable enough.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Are you using the stirrups as a platform? I have a spot I could use it tomorrow morning for a few hour sit. I'd like to leave the platform at home if the stirrups are comfortable enough.

No, I'm not.

 

[Jtaylor]

I had the same issue as you this morning @Allegheny Tom . I set it up in a tree as instructed and took a ride back down until I hit the first small branch. The daisy chains were just rolling/twisting down the tree. Maybe this tree was a candidate for the double wrap? I brought sticks along and a platform just in case so I'm still able to get up in the tree.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I had the same issue as you this morning @Allegheny Tom . I set it up in a tree as instructed and took a ride back down until I hit the first small branch. The daisy chains were just rolling/twisting down the tree. Maybe this tree was a candidate for the double wrap? I brought sticks along and a platform just in case so I'm still able to get up in the tree.

Been there, done that.
:-(

 

[bowhunthard88]

Are you using a tether or a linesman’s to climb?

I guess you could do whatever you're comfortable with, but I'm just using my LB to climb. I hunted out of about a 3-4' circumference White Oak. Actually really impressed with the usability of the system. My efficiency issue right now is with re-packing my rappel rope, other than that it's super smooth. I hunted out of a 7.5'-8' circumference Black Gum in the afternoon, and the only issue was that my gear hanger almost wasn't long enough lol.

 

[bowhunthard88]

Been there, done that.
:-(

I haven't had this yet, but I may, because this is absolutely going to become my primary method... I would double-wrap given enough daisy-chain length... Another thought may be to increase trunk contact and intentionally running the daisy-chain longer than possibly necessary, setting it as high as possible, pulling the Sladder back toward you and seating it downwards, leaving the daisy-chain at an exaggerated angle above the
Sladder attachment points. I haven't done this because of slippage, for myself, but worth a shot...?

@Jtaylor

 

[raisins]

I’m really leaning on this system and debating it, but the one hold up I have is the same reason I don’t use sticks, the lineman’s belt is not sufficient enough safety for me to climb and I just can’t kick that feeling. And I would also be interest how it does on pine trees.

I feel like I've already replied here....but just in case....I climb with lineman's AND tether and use sticks with and without an aider.

You just keep the tether ahead of you and not too slack. The downside is more ropes to get in the way and your bridge carabiner can easily smack the stick if you aren't careful or don't cover it with stealth strips.

 

[bowhunthard88]

Are you using the stirrups as a platform? I have a spot I could use it tomorrow morning for a few hour sit. I'd like to leave the platform at home if the stirrups are comfortable enough.

I do use a platform instead of the Sladder, but it's more from a positioning standpoint than a comfort one. The stirrups are really comfortable! I would use the bottom of the Sladder vs. the top, if I were to use it as a platform. I may experiment further, but we'll see. My platform is only about 2.5lbs., but... I also have been setting the platform, transitioning to the platform, and then retrieving and packing the Sladder prior to become static and hunting.

 

[Jtaylor]

Here's the tree and I'm still in it. I had the sladder set up with the daisy chain as stated above the attachment point. The daisy chain didn't slip but rolled or twisted down if that makes sense. I'm guessing two wraps would've probably worked. I'll try later at ground level when I get down.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Here's the tree and I'm still in it. I had the sladder set up with the daisy chain as stated above the attachment point. The daisy chain didn't slip but rolled or twisted down if that makes sense. I'm guessing two wraps would've probably worked. I'll try later at ground level when I get down.

I know they were thoughtful about how long the daisy chain needed to be. Too long and it gets clumbsy.
But I'm thinking it's just a bit too short, which is an easy fix if a longer one would reduce slippage because you could double wrap it on small trees.
The size of the tree that I was practicing on was what I would consider bare minimum diameter, yet it was still too big for a double wrap with the stock daisy chain.
I have not yet tried climbing with a double wrap. Has anyone had issues with the release on a double? And yes I realize the 2nd wrap needs to go under the hooks.

 

[bowhunthard88]

I know they were thoughtful about how long the daisy chain needed to be. Too long and it gets clumbsy.
But I'm thinking it's just a bit too short, which is an easy fix if a longer one would reduce slippage because you could double wrap it on small trees.
The size of the tree that I was practicing on was what I would consider bare minimum diameter, yet it was still too big for a double wrap with the stock daisy chain.
I have not yet tried climbing with a double wrap. Has anyone had issues with the release on a double? And yes I realize the 2nd wrap needs to go under the hooks.

I haven't used a double wrap yet, but every single tree I've climbed has all been with the extensions installed, needed or not! With no issues LOL.

 

[Jtaylor]

I double wrapped the daisy chain (I made my own extensions the other night copying the original design with the bigger loop) and it slid down a bit when setting then grabbed and didn't budge. When it slid down, it put the double wraps above the sladder which is a no no and it wouldn't allow the hook to come undone when pulling up for the next move.
I'll have to re-watch the videos and keep trying. I think it's just one of those things where practice makes perfect and there's a bit of technique involved here as well.

 

[RRohn]

I double wrapped the daisy chain (I made my own extensions the other night copying the original design with the bigger loop) and it slid down a bit when setting then grabbed and didn't budge. When it slid down, it put the double wraps above the sladder which is a no no and it wouldn't allow the hook to come undone when pulling up for the next move.
I'll have to re-watch the videos and keep trying. I think it's just one of those things where practice makes perfect and there's a bit of technique involved here as well.

I've done the double wrap on small trees without issue but know the following:

1. 1) on the second wrap, you have to go below the first wrap, and
2. 2) it will drop a little lower due to the additional wrap.

When you do the second wrap and then 'set' the Sladder before climbing, it will crossover naturally and be in the correct position for releasing when you pull up on the bottom to go to the next level.

See the attached video:

 

[RRohn]

Grayskwerel posted another video this morning about double wrapping small or slick bark trees:

 

[thedutchtouch]

So at least 2 people have taken a ride down the tree due to this thing slipping so far? Seems kinda sketchy but I dunno. What are the chances that the hook comes out of the daisy chain when it's slipping/twisting, and then you don't get stopped by the next branch? Trying hard to not be a hater but seems like this is another reason to try 2TC instead to me. Hope it works for you all and you don't get hurt.

 

[kyler1945]

So at least 2 people have taken a ride down the tree due to this thing slipping so far? Seems kinda sketchy but I dunno. What are the chances that the hook comes out of the daisy chain when it's slipping/twisting, and then you don't get stopped by the next branch? Trying hard to not be a hater but seems like this is another reason to try 2TC instead to me. Hope it works for you all and you don't get hurt.

I’ve got 12-15 climbs to set cameras, it hasn’t budged. Double wrap works fine for small trees and smooth trees. Device is not sketchy at all.

We are.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

So at least 2 people have taken a ride down the tree due to this thing slipping so far? Seems kinda sketchy but I dunno. What are the chances that the hook comes out of the daisy chain when it's slipping/twisting, and then you don't get stopped by the next branch? Trying hard to not be a hater but seems like this is another reason to try 2TC instead to me. Hope it works for you all and you don't get hurt.

To be clear...I have not "taken a ride down the tree" but I have experienced substantial slip. Not enough to scare me but enough that I am a little frustrated with the loss of upward progress.
And I'll say again, I think it was most likely the combination of the size of the practice tree and also the bark composition of that tree. I have tried it in larger trees (different species, different bark) and had no slippage.
I'm just a little apprehensive about having to depend on it for run and gun hunts when I don't already know which tree I may need to climb. I prefer a rock-solid, no fuss system that will work as intended on any tree I choose. I look for the right tree to hunt, I don't want to stand there trying to decide if it's right for a particular climbing method. But that's just me. Everyone needs to judge this for themselves.

 

[gcr0003]

I’ve got 12-15 climbs to set cameras, it hasn’t budged. Double wrap works fine for small trees and smooth trees. Device is not sketchy at all.

We are.

Hahh! Now this is funny. “I’ve climbed 15 times and haven’t had a slip up or issue; therefore, the climbing method is safe!” That sounds awfully subjective mr Kyler!

Human error is what gets the user hurt 90+% of the time over equipment failure so… what you’re saying is if you’re safe using the product as intended you’ll be safe? You could say that about almost every product that doesn’t have a mechanical failure of some kind.

Also just to poke the bear, what makes you qualified to say whether a climbing method is sketchy or not? You’re not OSHA!

 

[kyler1945]

Hahh! Now this is funny. “I’ve climbed 15 times and haven’t had a slip up or issue; therefore, the climbing method is safe!” That sounds awfully subjective mr Kyler!

Human error is what gets the user hurt 90+% of the time over equipment failure so… what you’re saying is if you’re safe using the product as intended you’ll be safe? You could say that about almost every product that doesn’t have a mechanical failure of some kind.

Also just to poke the bear, what makes you qualified to say whether a climbing method is sketchy or not? You’re not OSHA!

Turtles all the way down

 

[Jtaylor]

I sat for a couple hours last weekend hoping to have an all in one system of climbing and platform but the stirrups aren't comfortable for me over about 45 minutes.

Navigating branches while standing on an aider isn't for me either and most of our trees are full of branches around here.

A cold front hit recently and I also couldn't imagine trying to put my pac boots in the stirrups or that size of aider.

I had recently started "one sticking" with my platform and feel more comfortable standing on a platform and tied in to get around branches.

If you really should rappel down with this system and need a platform to be comfortable, I eliminated the sladder and added an aider to my platform and actually feel more comfortable.