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Advancing your tether while one sticking

so i solved “my” problem of tether slack while one-sticking. After reading all the posts about using a push stick/pvc/etc (stuff that i didn’t want to carry in the woods), i did a practice climb yesterday. Managing the linesman and tether slack/tension is still doable but a PITA. Still, its only two moves. Somehow, something flcanopystalker said clicked in the back of my head… last year i hunted the hills of Ohio with guys younger than me. In preparation for that happening again i found an old hiking stick that I’ve been using for a third point of balance on inclines/declines. The Delta link in my tether fits perfectly in the basket. Went outside and immediately pushed my tether up to about 11’. Thats 18’ on one move. Still two moves up to hunting height, but NO slack as i climb. One hand on stick or tree, the other pulls slack on the madrock. Get to height, collapse stick and drop. Nothing new, I’m sure you guys have been doing this for years. But I’m not carrying anything extra-no matter the weight. Thanks to all that posted anything about using push poles!
 
so i solved “my” problem of tether slack while one-sticking. After reading all the posts about using a push stick/pvc/etc (stuff that i didn’t want to carry in the woods), i did a practice climb yesterday. Managing the linesman and tether slack/tension is still doable but a PITA. Still, its only two moves. Somehow, something flcanopystalker said clicked in the back of my head… last year i hunted the hills of Ohio with guys younger than me. In preparation for that happening again i found an old hiking stick that I’ve been using for a third point of balance on inclines/declines. The Delta link in my tether fits perfectly in the basket. Went outside and immediately pushed my tether up to about 11’. Thats 18’ on one move. Still two moves up to hunting height, but NO slack as i climb. One hand on stick or tree, the other pulls slack on the madrock. Get to height, collapse stick and drop. Nothing new, I’m sure you guys have been doing this for years. But I’m not carrying anything extra-no matter the weight. Thanks to all that posted anything about using push poles!
Since you shared this with me. Thinking since I already carry trekking sticks. I’m going to fix a pipe to connect mine. I’m 6’2” and can reach 9 feet. I’m thinking I can basically one move the whole set up.
 
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so i solved “my” problem of tether slack while one-sticking. After reading all the posts about using a push stick/pvc/etc (stuff that i didn’t want to carry in the woods), i did a practice climb yesterday. Managing the linesman and tether slack/tension is still doable but a PITA. Still, its only two moves. Somehow, something flcanopystalker said clicked in the back of my head… last year i hunted the hills of Ohio with guys younger than me. In preparation for that happening again i found an old hiking stick that I’ve been using for a third point of balance on inclines/declines. The Delta link in my tether fits perfectly in the basket. Went outside and immediately pushed my tether up to about 11’. Thats 18’ on one move. Still two moves up to hunting height, but NO slack as i climb. One hand on stick or tree, the other pulls slack on the madrock. Get to height, collapse stick and drop. Nothing new, I’m sure you guys have been doing this for years. But I’m not carrying anything extra-no matter the weight. Thanks to all that posted anything about using push poles!

Interesting… that kinda makes me want to try that with SRT. Carry another tether to unweight then push the other tether up.
 
so i solved “my” problem of tether slack while one-sticking. After reading all the posts about using a push stick/pvc/etc (stuff that i didn’t want to carry in the woods), i did a practice climb yesterday. Managing the linesman and tether slack/tension is still doable but a PITA. Still, its only two moves. Somehow, something flcanopystalker said clicked in the back of my head… last year i hunted the hills of Ohio with guys younger than me. In preparation for that happening again i found an old hiking stick that I’ve been using for a third point of balance on inclines/declines. The Delta link in my tether fits perfectly in the basket. Went outside and immediately pushed my tether up to about 11’. Thats 18’ on one move. Still two moves up to hunting height, but NO slack as i climb. One hand on stick or tree, the other pulls slack on the madrock. Get to height, collapse stick and drop. Nothing new, I’m sure you guys have been doing this for years. But I’m not carrying anything extra-no matter the weight. Thanks to all that posted anything about using push poles!
How about some pics or video?
 
@Islandshooter I could see that working pretty good on smaller smooth barked trees, but I’m not so sure about larger rough barks.
You are right, I’ve only tried it on oaks and palms. If it doesnt work on the nebraska cottonwoods, so be it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I’ll let y’all know the more i test it. Thanks
 
@Islandshooter I could see that working pretty good on smaller smooth barked trees, but I’m not so sure about larger rough barks.
Just checked my practice tree…live oak with 4’ circumference. Works no problem, just work it side to side keeping tension on the tether so it doesnt slip. looking forward to trying it on a big old river bottom cottonwood
 
The Genesis 3D hooks were out of stock so I bought the hooks from Innovating the Outdoors. I’ve done one or two practice climbs with them and they worked well.

Are you still using these?
 
Interesting… that kinda makes me want to try that with SRT. Carry another tether to unweight then push the other tether up.
That’s how I SRT when I go in blind during hunting season. I set my platform around waist height, climb up, tether off with my SRT rope, then use pvc to advance my anchor climb up, set my platform again, advance my anchor point and within two to 3 moves I’m easily at hunting height
 
As I stated numerous times about how I advance my tether/ climbing line I use a 3 piece pvc push stick. I started years ago 1 sticking and now either use a platform or W.E. step and of course climb srt with a hybrid device ( can ascend/ descend on same device) and a foot ascender. Probably has very little to do with original post but a very viable way of climbing- no slack , changeover, branches are a non issue and can rappell out at any time. One could argue cost but what treestands, sticks etc cost along with inherent safety risks I'll take my system. Presets are a breeze and can be set up at hunting height in a very short time with little gear.
 
Are you still using these?

I was, they worked fine. But I’ve realized one sticking with 800 gram rubber boots doesn’t work for me. I don’t feel safe on the aiders. Worked great when it was +45F though.
 
It just girth hitched around the rope.View attachment 68835

Great minds....
I just started experimenting with this and realized I could do roughly the same thing, except using I'm using one of the plastic carabiners I got from DanO a year or two ago. I put a little prusik into the shock cord, which is working well, and helps me adjust the cord on the rope as I go up/down.
 
I’ve seen a video on a set of straps attached to your tether to use as handles so your not having your fingers getting between the tree and rope but I can’t seem to find it again. Can anyone Direct me in the right direction?

I like safety. Just don't wrap your fingers around the line behind the tree and keep lineman's up around chest high. Don't worry about the tether while you are correctly ascending with lineman. me demonstrating:
 
As I stated numerous times about how I advance my tether/ climbing line I use a 3 piece pvc push stick. I started years ago 1 sticking and now either use a platform or W.E. step and of course climb srt with a hybrid device ( can ascend/ descend on same device) and a foot ascender. Probably has very little to do with original post but a very viable way of climbing- no slack , changeover, branches are a non issue and can rappell out at any time. One could argue cost but what treestands, sticks etc cost along with inherent safety risks I'll take my system. Presets are a breeze and can be set up at hunting height in a very short time with little gear.
Oooh, what is this hybrid device?
 
Great minds....
I just started experimenting with this and realized I could do roughly the same thing, except using I'm using one of the plastic carabiners I got from DanO a year or two ago. I put a little prusik into the shock cord, which is working well, and helps me adjust the cord on the rope as I go up/down.
I also like this version. I just make a knot ball using the bungiee ball. It slides up and down easily, but never gets loose.AC348AB5-F0AD-4647-8C16-338BDF6732CA.jpeg
 
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