14 of something

[NMSbowhunter]

For next season I am thinking of getting a set of 14 rope on climbing steps. I have 2 Cranford rope steps now. I think I would need 14 of whatever I end up with to get me to 24ish feet. To those who have experience with these types of climbing steps, be it Cranfords or Bullman, or any others I don't know about, your insight would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Noonespecial]

Funny I had exactly 14 Cranford rope steps also. They are the most compact way to climb, however getting them tight to the tree was my problem. I never had one slip or slide but when I applied weight they would pull away from the tree a considerable amount leaving me with an uneasy feeling. I also tried timber hitching them and daisy chains but neither worked well either. I ended up selling them and went back to sticks.

 

[3lilpigs]

I bought 10 Bullman Pioneer Minimalist steps. Love them. Bought two more just to get a liiiiittle more height from my climb, they should be arriving today.

But if they have the pre-made ones in stock, definitely buy those rather than the DIY. It's easy work making the daisy chains, but it takes FOREVER. For me, the extra work isn't worth the money saved.

 

[GeoFish]

I have the same issue with Cranford and Pioneer steps, they pull away from the tree.
I have had better luck with Treehopper steps. They dont pack as nice, but they have been solid to climb on.

 

[Exhumis]

Check these out:

HangN30 Contour Edge Step review

Edit: Added a link to the test kit. So some questions have been asked about these steps with not much know about them. I decided to take the plunge and bought some as I recently have decided to try out a RoS style platform. The steps are made of Kydex and are 4.5” tall with the step top...

saddlehunter.com

They aren’t free but they might fit what you’re looking for.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Funny I had exactly 14 Cranford rope steps also. They are the most compact way to climb, however getting them tight to the tree was my problem. I never had one slip or slide but when I applied weight they would pull away from the tree a considerable amount leaving me with an uneasy feeling. I also tried timber hitching them and daisy chains but neither worked well either. I ended up selling them and went back to sticks.

That is basically what I am seeing with the Cranfords I have, They pull out a bit at the top which makes the step sort of mushy but I don't think they would kick out of come off.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I bought 10 Bullman Pioneer Minimalist steps. Love them. Bought two more just to get a liiiiittle more height from my climb, they should be arriving today.

But if they have the pre-made ones in stock, definitely buy those rather than the DIY. It's easy work making the daisy chains, but it takes FOREVER. For me, the extra work isn't worth the money saved.

I bought 7 of the Pioneer steps to use as a ring of steps with an OCB strap. I love that set up. I have wondered how well they work as actual steps.

 

[raisins]

For next season I am thinking of getting a set of 14 rope on climbing steps. I have 2 Cranford rope steps now. I think I would need 14 of whatever I end up with to get me to 24ish feet. To those who have experience with these types of climbing steps, be it Cranfords or Bullman, or any others I don't know about, your insight would be helpful. Thanks.

description/review of amsteel buckleless treehopper step climbing method after 20+ hunts

I described on someone else's thread a while back how I was going to try an amsteel daisy chain method with treehopper steps. I developed that and used it for the past 20 or so hunts and this will be my method until maybe I switch to Tethrd One sticks with aiders. Any critiques or suggestions...

saddlehunter.com

 

[3lilpigs]

I bought 7 of the Pioneer steps to use as a ring of steps with an OCB strap. I love that set up. I have wondered how well they work as actual steps.

Small & packable, lightweight, couldn't be easier to deploy (at least the amsteel Minimalist version, straps seem like a bit more work and definitely more space/weight). I've read about some people having trouble with them swinging, but I think they're staggering the steps too far side-to-side. You only want each step a few inches to the side of the last one. And it's tempting to space them as high up the tree as you can make your next step up, but that makes for an uncomfortable climb down if you're not rappeling.

 

[raisins]

Small & packable, lightweight, couldn't be easier to deploy (at least the amsteel Minimalist version, straps seem like a bit more work and definitely more space/weight). I've read about some people having trouble with them swinging, but I think they're staggering the steps too far side-to-side. You only want each step a few inches to the side of the last one. And it's tempting to space them as high up the tree as you can make your next step up, but that makes for an uncomfortable climb down if you're not rappeling.

A user, I think @GeoFish, combined the triglide and daisy chain idea with the trucker's hitch (see my link above). It that is done, I'm thinking some of these concerns might go away because they are so tight to the tree.

 

[GeoFish]

Alot of people seem to like the Pioneer steps. they did not work for me. I moved my foot in the picture so you could see the kick out. They may work better with straps or maybe I got the daisy too tight???
I started climbing on steps in 1983, Deer Me brand, so I have a little experience with steps, and I do not space them far apart side to side.
I get a little of the kick out with Cranford, but they are bullet proof. The Treehopper steps work great with the daisy chain, but after seeing the Timber Ninja picture of the broken step, polymer steps have me a little bit gun shy.

 

[GeoFish]

Let me add, I have a size 14 to 15 boot and I am 225 lbs. So I may by putting more force on the end of the step.

 

[Blacksmith]

I have a set of 11 Treehoppers on straps that will get you over 20'. Come with a shoulder bag that also held my Predator. The Treehoppers are rock solid. I've never had one move for steps or as a ROS. $150 TYD. 419 689 6978.