About to give up on WE Steps, maybe switch to one sticking?

[mn_booner]

Hello,

This is my second season working with WE steps and I just finished a long weekend hunting with them. I have practiced with them and I am proficient with them, but they are just too fiddly. I think they would work great for someone hunting in warmer conditions and if your feet are smaller than size 14. I hunt in Minnesota, I am 6'4", 250lbs, and mainly hunt in a size 14 Lacrosse Alphaburly 1600 gram rubber boots. I am also hunting in a full Sitka Fanatic getup so everything I am wearing is bulky and not easy to be light on my feet in. My boot is just way too big, so I can't put both feet on one WE step. I have to stagger the steps and use roughly 18" spacing and go up them like that. I have 12 WE steps and end up having to use 10 of them plus 2 for a platform at the top, to get up the tree. Tying 12 knots and then wrapping the excess rope around the step so its out of the way is just too time consuming. Buddy of mine was able to setup a hang on with sticks faster than I could get setup with my saddle and WE steps.

Anyway, I have a rappel setup and thought about maybe trying one sticking? What are the best sticks to use for one sticking? I need a stick that will let me fit both of my giant ass feet on the top step. What sticks have big standoffs?

 

[DwadeCham]

Hello,

This is my second season working with WE steps and I just finished a long weekend hunting with them. I have practiced with them and I am proficient with them, but they are just too fiddly. I think they would work great for someone hunting in warmer conditions and if your feet are smaller than size 14. I hunt in Minnesota, I am 6'4", 250lbs, and mainly hunt in a size 14 Lacrosse Alphaburly 1600 gram rubber boots. I am also hunting in a full Sitka Fanatic getup so everything I am wearing is bulky and not easy to be light on my feet in. My boot is just way too big, so I can't put both feet on one WE step. I have 12 WE steps and end up having to use 10 of them plus 2 for a platform at the top, to get up the tree. Tying 12 knots and then wrapping the excess rope around the step so its out of the way is just too time consuming. Buddy of mine was able to setup a hang on with sticks faster than I could get setup with my saddle and WE steps.

Anyway, I have a rappel setup and thought about maybe trying one sticking? What are the best sticks to use for one sticking? I need a stick that will let me fit both of my giant ass feet on the top step. What sticks have big standoffs?

I am one sticking this year with a custom from Eastern Woods outdoors. I am 6’6”, 230, and a size 13 boot. I haven’t had any problems with having both feet on the steps. But I do use a platform as opposed to the top steps.

DanO is a good dude and is about our size and build. He can recommend a good stick size. Mine has the attached 2 step aider on the bottom step, featherlight aluminum post, and versa button. I can get to 20’ or so pretty easily with 3 moves. I’m still learning with it but was pretty efficient in the woods yesterday. Last year I used wild edge steps with a knaider. I could get 20’ or so with 4-5 steps so that’s an option too. But I only used a Wild edge step for the backside of the tree. I used an old Ernie platform for most of my hang time.


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[mn_booner]

Aiders seem incredibly difficult to use in full cold weather gear with a giant boot in the dark, I have the WE aider and it is just horrible. I am lightning fast and can get to 20' with 5 WE steps in jeans and work boots, but that doesn't cut it in Minnesota from October onwards.

How in the world did a man of your size use a knaider/swaider with WE steps? I don't mind using 2 WE steps at the top, i would prefer a platform but I think I am gonna sell 10 of my WE steps and buy a nice stick. Heard good things about EWO sticks but they are like $160 shipped for one stick. But if thats the best option then so be it. I ditched my climber to be lighter and faster up and down the tree, so I need to find a way to make that happen.

 

[iamcorey]

My 1 sticking is hit or miss. Has nothing to do with the stick. Gravity is the same whether your rocking a 3lb muddy pro or a whatever lb. shikar mini.

I’ve decided I’m moving on from it. I just can’t be consistently be quiet with it. Between the bark and metal pieces in the set up making noise when slack is introduced into the tether.

Sometimes I’m like a timber ninja. Sometimes I’m like Mr. McBevee jingling in the treetops. Rappelling is fun and I’ll still carry rope for emergency, but I make more noise getting my rope down than if I just climbed down some sticks.

Anyways I’d stick with the Stepps if I were you. You’ll just be chasing the same perfect climbing method we have all chased. I know you won’t listen because it’s too tempting to get in that supposedly greener pasture. Each pasture is about the same. Just become proficient with what you have is my advice.

Good luck sir in your quest.


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[kyler1945]

I would get a big platform, and put your clothes on up there. There ain't gonna be much you can put those clodhoppers on. Maybe those plastic sticks? They seem to have big steps and standoffs.

You might look at strap on steps like the treehoppers. They're big, quiet, and you can stagger them on either side of the tree which will help with mobility/distance between.

 

[mattsteg]

My 1 sticking is hit or miss. Has nothing to do with the stick. Gravity is the same whether your rocking a 3lb muddy pro or a whatever lb. shikar mini.

I’ve decided I’m moving on from it. I just can’t be consistently be quiet with it. Between the bark and metal pieces in the set up making noise when slack is introduced into the tether.

Sometimes I’m like a timber ninja. Sometimes I’m like Mr. McBevee jingling in the treetops. Rappelling is fun and I’ll still carry rope for emergency, but I make more noise getting my rope down than if I just climbed down some sticks.

Anyways I’d stick with the Stepps if I were you. You’ll just be chasing the same perfect climbing method we have all chased. I know you won’t listen because it’s too tempting to get in that supposedly greener pasture. Each pasture is about the same. Just become proficient with what you have is my advice.

Good luck sir in your quest.


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A wild edge step every 18 in is a pretty brown pasture. You can absolutely do better than that. What's better is up to everyone's preferences. Depending on what lands he hunts 1sticking is an option, but potentially bolts or squirrelsteps to which are both lighter, more compact, and less "fiddly" depending on what you consider fiddly.

 

[Newhunter1]

Anyway, I have a rappel setup and thought about maybe trying one sticking? What are the best sticks to use for one sticking? I need a stick that will let me fit both of my giant ass feet on the top step. What sticks have big standoffs?

I will add my .02 here...but take it for what it's worth. I'm 5'4" and have a size 10 boot. I too tried the WE steps not once, but three different times. Sold them all...

I now only one stick and have bought muddy pro, shikar 17" and mini, and EWO ultralite with double steps. Sold the shikar 17" and kept the muddy and mini as a back up or if my son wants to use something. Now when I go out...I only use the EWO with a two step aider. I can get 20' with about 4 moves and then rappel out of the tree. I have plenty of room with my EWO and a scout platform on top. It sits right next to my mission platform and gives me plenty of options.

 

[TooBigToFit]

I feel like I've dabbled in most of the "strap it onto a tree" climbing methods, and there's something I dislike about each of them...

3-4 sticks: pain to haul, catches on all sorts of stuff, having them hang from your gear as you climb.

Single stick: trickier to do on leaning trees, basically needs an aider to be useful

WE Stepps: Tricky to tie, bag can make single shoulder sore, barely fits 2 feet

Squirrel steps: Managing a bunch of loose OCB straps, doesn't give as much of a hand hold to "pull yourself up" as with the other methods, single foot only

I think I've decided that individual strap on steps aren't for me, when I can strap a stick on and get 2-3X as much done for the same amount of effort. Not sure what's the ideal method for me though. Been mostly just hauling 3 sticks in. Single sticking I like in theory, but still need more practice. I also have a LWHC I might give a spin (but keep using my RR as the actual platform once I'm at height).

 

[kyler1945]

Also, Shoot Matt at OOAL a message, he'll build a custom set with wider steps, deeper standoffs and beefier components. You might pay extra, but I'm sure you're used to life being more expensive for a big fella.

 

[JDB]

Tried WE steps last year and this year with the Cain climbing method and can get as high as I need in the crappy trees in my area. I like being able to move around branches, etc, but ultimately don't like tying on each and every step.
I recently modified my Lone Wolf sticks using EWO Double Steps and cut them down to about 24". Going to use 3 sticks with aiders and amsteel daisy chain the rest of the year.

 

[Razorbak66]

One sticking is the way to go I feel. I have several different stick set ups. I rather carry one vs 3 or 4 sticks. I fully committed to one sticking if I use a platform I use my 15” mini stick with 2 step aider with a cam cleat or my 17” with 2 step aider with cam cleat (which is the way to go) and I just got a muddy stick with a scout angled platform that I see my self using ALL the time now with 2 squirrel steps about 9” apart in each side i am still in process of deciding if I want a 1 or 2 step aider but as I said 1 sticking is the ****zzzz. I agree the fiddle factor with WE steps is a pain that’s why my 8 pk is collecting dust. Since you got a rappel set up you know that’s fun. I can get up to 25+ ft in 5 moves of course I’m almost a foot shorter than you. Give it a shot but I recommend using Dano stand offs as they give you quite a distance from tree vs the standoffs from API and LW and Hawks even my shikar doesn’t stand off as far as DANO

Use a Dano cable aider in your one stick. One of the best aider systems out there and with your length length you prolly can get to 25’ in 3 moves

 

[Recurveaholic]

One sticking is definitely a good option and as far as sticks go about the only thing people agree on is the cam cleat and everyone still doesn't agree on that!!! LOL

 

[JoyRyd]

My 0.02.....I use SRT, WE Stepps, and Sticks. My favorite is the bottom of my LW Sit and Climb and tether. It's built for that use. It provides a HUGE platform and is easy to pack.......it is MUCH larger than all the other options. I use it as a pack frame if I'm successful. I know it's not "compact", but I could care less about a few pounds. If I need to start worrying about that, I'll pack my mule and carry nothing on my person! LOL
PS: I'm 6'2" 240 with 12.5 feet.......Not as big as you, but I can feel your pain.

Good luck and be safe!

 

[mn_booner]

I actually have a summit goliath climber and thought about using the base of it, but I figured it wouldn't handle side loading at all. How do you deal with that with your lone wolf climber base?

 

[kyler1945]

I actually havea summit goliath climber and thought about using the base of it, but I figured it wouldn't handle side loading at all. How do you deal with that with your lone wolf climber base?

seems like there’d be no side loading if you use a giant platform. Just stand up and turn around, no?

 

[DwadeCham]

Aiders seem incredibly difficult to use in full cold weather gear with a giant boot in the dark, I have the WE aider and it is just horrible. I am lightning fast and can get to 20' with WE steps in jeans and work boots, but that doesn't cut in Minnesota from October onwards.

How in the world did a man of your size use a knaider/swaider with WE steps? I don't mind using 2 WE steps at the top, i would prefer a platform but I think I am gonna sell 10 of my WE steps and buy a nice stick. Heard good things about EWO sticks but they are like $160 shipped for one stick. But if thats the best option then so be it. I ditched my climber to be lighter and faster up and down the tree, so I need to find a way to make that happen.

I don’t know man. I guess I just did it. I never used the swaider. I could hike my knee up to get onto the step and then step up. It was pretty easy I thought. I just don’t like messing with the knots. I decided to try one sticking and I already had the rappelling gear.

I was a cheapskate. I ordered some of the parts for the stick at the end of last season. Then DanO built a shopping cart for what I was missing. Lessened the blow a bit.


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[JoyRyd]

I actually havea summit goliath climber and thought about using the base of it, but I figured it wouldn't handle side loading at all. How do you deal with that with your lone wolf climber base?

You are correct! You definitely lose the “side pressure” luxury without added stabilization. I use two WE Stepps on either side (+/- 90 degrees) and run a strap around the tree...connected to the WE steps (Steps increase the angle of strap to side of platform....rather than just going around the tree). Basically, I weave the strap through the “platform”, around each WE step and back to itself. Then, tighten that baby down with everything you got! The base is big enough that I can get down and hook up the "stabilator" system. I’ll try to get a picture for you. Works awesome! Again, this ain’t for weight weenies, but it doesn't sound like you suffer from that disease at all!

 

[mattsteg]

I feel like I've dabbled in most of the "strap it onto a tree" climbing methods, and there's something I dislike about each of them...

3-4 sticks: pain to haul, catches on all sorts of stuff, having them hang from your gear as you climb.

Single stick: trickier to do on leaning trees, basically needs an aider to be useful

WE Stepps: Tricky to tie, bag can make single shoulder sore, barely fits 2 feet

Squirrel steps: Managing a bunch of loose OCB straps, doesn't give as much of a hand hold to "pull yourself up" as with the other methods, single foot only

I think I've decided that individual strap on steps aren't for me, when I can strap a stick on and get 2-3X as much done for the same amount of effort. Not sure what's the ideal method for me though. Been mostly just hauling 3 sticks in. Single sticking I like in theory, but still need more practice. I also have a LWHC I might give a spin (but keep using my RR as the actual platform once I'm at height).

This is more or less the reason that (conditions allowing) I tend to suggest to try most things if possible. Everything has positives and negatives, and while you see squirrelsteps as managing a bunch of straps, I see them as little bundles of climbing that roll up into a self-contained fist-size package, and are significantly simpler/quicker to hang (and manage on a climb) than multiple sticks, and let you do pretty much all of your fiddlin' at waist level. They're a tad fiddlier in packing up at the end of the day though, although just rolling up each step as you descend isn't that bad.

 

[mn_booner]

My 1 sticking is hit or miss. Has nothing to do with the stick. Gravity is the same whether your rocking a 3lb muddy pro or a whatever lb. shikar mini.

I’ve decided I’m moving on from it. I just can’t be consistently be quiet with it. Between the bark and metal pieces in the set up making noise when slack is introduced into the tether.

Sometimes I’m like a timber ninja. Sometimes I’m like Mr. McBevee jingling in the treetops. Rappelling is fun and I’ll still carry rope for emergency, but I make more noise getting my rope down than if I just climbed down some sticks.

Anyways I’d stick with the Stepps if I were you. You’ll just be chasing the same perfect climbing method we have all chased. I know you won’t listen because it’s too tempting to get in that supposedly greener pasture. Each pasture is about the same. Just become proficient with what you have is my advice.

Good luck sir in your quest.


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Are you insinuating that the pursuit of the perfect climbing method is an endless money pit and that no such thing actually exists? Please don't be so reasonable! My wife can never know this!

 

[mattsteg]

Are you insinuating that the pursuit of the perfect climbing method is an endless money pit and that no such thing actually exists? Please don't be so reasonable! My wife can never know this!

Nah. Everything has its advantages, so you need to own everything. That's it.