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1 Sticking...not for me, but I like to Rappel

BowhunterXC

BowhunterXC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2021
Messages
620
Location
N.W. Ohio
I've been in the woods, the last few days, trying out the "one stick" technique with a single step aider. I realize that it's new and I may get better/smoother at it with some practice. However, I could've had 3 sticks set up, been at the height that I wanted and set up, while I was fumbling around with the one stick. :rolleyes:
Just the same, I really like to rappel.....BUT rappelling and using 3 sticks to climb won't work, due to all the other ropes (tether and lineman), ropeman1 and carabiners used for them. I'd be adding weight, instead of losing it.

At least I can say, "I gave it a shot" and I will live with carrying the 3 Muddy Pro climbing sticks and leave the rest for someone else. :cool: These climbing sticks are the original Muddy Pro sticks, that are 32" long and have 3 fixed steps, which weigh 3.2 lbs. each. I may invest in a 4 pack of smaller and lighter sticks, in the future.

BowhunterXC
Cruzr XC 1.jpg
 
I rappelled when I used sticks. Never liked coming down on sticks but mine did have cable aiders as well

many ways up and down a tree. One of the best parts of being a mobile hunter
 
I bought 40 feet of Canyon Elite and a figure 8 (which I back up with a Distel hitch) with the intent of getting a one stick but found 2TC and now I'm not interested in acquiring a one stick. I do love to rappel down, and I can use the rappel line as my top tether if I want to go that route with 2TC, or just use a regular tether and work my way down in reverse order of ascending. The rappel was one of the main draws to DRT as well and I liked being connected to the tree under weight the whole time I was going up the tree and coming back down. I used sticks this past season for the most part and the bulk, weight, and awkwardness made me look for other options. The main thing is find a system that works for you and practice it enough that it becomes second nature. You gave one sticking a shot and it didn't work well for you. Maybe you can figure out a way to incorporate rappel with your sticks.
 
Rappelling is badass for sure...I tried the stick thing and it wasn't for me either...I use my spurs to go up and rappel down...its all pretty quick and quiet...mostly it's awesome being tied to the tree from the ground to height and back to the ground...I hunted for 30 years in a climber without a safety strap...now that has become a No Go!...
 
BowhunterXC said:
I've been in the woods, the last few days, trying out the "one stick" technique with a single step aider. I realize that it's new and I may get better/smoother at it with some practice. However, I could've had 3 sticks set up, been at the height that I wanted and set up, while I was fumbling around with the one stick. :rolleyes:
Just the same, I really like to rappel.....BUT rappelling and using 3 sticks to climb won't work, due to all the other ropes (tether and lineman), ropeman1 and carabiners used for them. I'd be adding weight, instead of losing it.

At least I can say, "I gave it a shot" and I will live with carrying the 3 Muddy Pro climbing sticks and leave the rest for someone else. :cool: These climbing sticks are the original Muddy Pro sticks, that are 32" long and have 3 fixed steps, which weigh 3.2 lbs. each. I may invest in a 4 pack of smaller and lighter sticks, in the future.

BowhunterXC
View attachment 64311
Click to expand...
Time to switch to SRT so you can still rappel lol
 
BowhunterXC said:
I've been in the woods, the last few days, trying out the "one stick" technique with a single step aider. I realize that it's new and I may get better/smoother at it with some practice. However, I could've had 3 sticks set up, been at the height that I wanted and set up, while I was fumbling around with the one stick. :rolleyes:
Just the same, I really like to rappel.....BUT rappelling and using 3 sticks to climb won't work, due to all the other ropes (tether and lineman), ropeman1 and carabiners used for them. I'd be adding weight, instead of losing it.

At least I can say, "I gave it a shot" and I will live with carrying the 3 Muddy Pro climbing sticks and leave the rest for someone else. :cool: These climbing sticks are the original Muddy Pro sticks, that are 32" long and have 3 fixed steps, which weigh 3.2 lbs. each. I may invest in a 4 pack of smaller and lighter sticks, in the future.

BowhunterXC
View attachment 64311
Click to expand...
awesome awesome pic !!!!
 
The big issue with one stick method is practicing you have get efficient at it. I put about 10hrs practicing in spring time. It is very important choosing the right aider for one sticking otherwise it can be very difficult. FYI if plan on practicing one sticking climbing method spend some money on a good aider don't be cheap otherwise you're just wasting your time. I sprained my ankle the last 2 years so i take slow. I am 50yrs old I seen guys in there 60s on youtube and on this website they go up really fast. You dont have to be a great athlete I am out shape. I use a mini beast stick that weighs 1.5lbs. I am glad not carrying big climbing sticks. I believe the one stick climbing methods benefits older hunters even more. Especially rappelling down its alot safer from my research.
 
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I did a search on this forum for "2TC" and found a video of a guy using both ends of his rappel rope as a tether. He tied a figure 8 knot with approx. 2' of a tag end, wrapped it around the tree and tied another figure 8 knot, through the first one. This made a loop and served as a tether line...one on both ends of the rappel rope. All he had to do was untie the lower tether knot on the rappel line and rappel out of the tree. :cool: I'm going to give this a shot tomorrow and see how it goes. If it works this will be the lightest climbing and rappelling method available.
 
I've been playing around with 2TC quite a bit and here are a couple of tips to shorten the learning curve. When you step up, push straight down into the foot tether and dig you toe into the tree at the same time. This will help with stability. Use your opposite leg to wrap around the tree. This stabilizes you too. Do short moves. Unlike one sticking, 18" moves are your friend here. You make more moves, but they are not as strained, and you don't induce nearly as much slack in the system. Keep your fingers out from under the tether also as much as possible. There is an optimum tether length for each person, and you have to experiment to find your personal distance. For me I like my top tether length to be a bit longer than the distance from the tip of my middle finger to my elbow. I usually start with the bottom of the foot tether about 20 inches off the ground. Good luck and let us know how it works for you. It took me several tries to start to feel comfortable with it. Now it is sort of second nature. If you have ever used a climbing tree stand the moves will be familiar.
 
NMSbowhunter said:
Do short moves. Unlike one sticking, 18" moves are your friend here. You make more moves, but they are not as strained, and you don't induce nearly as much slack in the system. There is an optimum tether length for each person, and you have to experiment to find your personal distance. Good luck and let us know how it works for you. It took me several tries to start to feel comfortable with it. Now it is sort of second nature. If you have ever used a climbing tree stand the moves will be familiar.
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NMSbowhunter,
You are correct, sir, about the short moves! :) I tried it this morning, made a few "tweeks" to my system and think I've found my "groove" for climbing. I used a Ropeman 1 to make any adjustments easier and it seems to do the trick.
 
This my own version of 2TC method, as I've made my own modifications to suit me.
1f914.png

I'm still "tweeking" my set-up, as I started out using the double figure 8 knots on both tether lines, then switched to a quick link on the top tether line and may switch to one on the bottom. The quick link is just quicker and easier to set up....and easier to pull down with the dyna-glide string.
The loop for my boot was easier to get into and climb with than any boards or other flat steps/rungs that I tried.

Once I'm on my platform and am done hunting, that's when I'll switch over to my Figure 8, to make my rappel down.
1f4af.png
So far, I'm liking how light weight and simple it is to use.
1f60e.png
The extra rappel line is inside my dump pouch, on my right side, (out of view of these shots).
TC6.jpg
TC5.jpg


TC4.jpg
TC3.jpg
TC2.jpg
TC1.jpg
 
I'm very happy to hear that you have gotten this to work for you. Since starting this method I have tried several different variations, going so far as seeing if I could make my 75-foot DRT rope double as a 2TC set up and it worked. As of now I am just using 2 short tethers and inching up and down. For me, it sure beats climbing sticks. It's faster and a whole lot lighter. I practiced climbing again today after my turkey hunt. I plan to revisit my rappel setup soon. You just get better with practice.
 
BowhunterXC said:
This my own version of 2TC method, as I've made my own modifications to suit me.
1f914.png

I'm still "tweeking" my set-up, as I started out using the double figure 8 knots on both tether lines, then switched to a quick link on the top tether line and may switch to one on the bottom. The quick link is just quicker and easier to set up....and easier to pull down with the dyna-glide string.
The loop for my boot was easier to get into and climb with than any boards or other flat steps/rungs that I tried.

Once I'm on my platform and am done hunting, that's when I'll switch over to my Figure 8, to make my rappel down.
1f4af.png
So far, I'm liking how light weight and simple it is to use.
1f60e.png
The extra rappel line is inside my dump pouch, on my right side, (out of view of these shots).
View attachment 64359
View attachment 64360


View attachment 64361
View attachment 64362
View attachment 64363
View attachment 64364
Click to expand...
My skin is crawling from the poison on the tree!
 
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