Aider and Wild Edge Steps - Getting down??

[kobudo]

Knaider only for me. I can come down without the knaider because I can stretch out a little, but I am flexible. Linesmen's belt always on.

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[Nelsont43]

I use a five step black diamond aider and can get to 18' with 3 steps.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

I currently use accessory cord to try and accomplish the same thing, but it does not hold them open as far for sure. I have thought about some sort of aluminum, I may have to look into that. What size tube stock did you use? Wall thickness?

Another option is a small length of plastic tubing. I'm using that on the aider I'm using for single stick climbing and it works really well at keeping the loop open but doesn't have noise associated with an aluminum tube.

 

[FrigidArrows]

Another option is a small length of plastic tubing. I'm using that on the aider I'm using for single stick climbing and it works really well at keeping the loop open but doesn't have noise associated with an aluminum tube.

That's a good point! Plastic would need to be fairly durable I would imagine. I understand webbing takes fair amount of strain. What are you using for tubing?

 

[mudelhofen]

Another option is a small length of plastic tubing. I'm using that on the aider I'm using for single stick climbing and it works really well at keeping the loop open but doesn't have noise associated with an aluminum tube.

Great idea. The aluminum doesn't really have any noise since it is inside the webbing.

 

[WhiteOakAcorn]

I spent a ton of time sewing and designing a well made movable aider for my hawk helium sticks, and I ended up in the exact same precarious position you just described. Solved it with this...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0791VRQDM

It cinches to your boot, so no shifting around and it is fully adjustable for step length. Better than my crappy design by far!

Thank you for the reply! I went ahead an ordered this after I looked at your link. I knew right away this could help. Thank You! I'll post back with how it goes.

 

[public_land]

I do not have the WE aider, but I did make my own. YouTube videos refer to it as a "whoopie sling". Works just like the WE aider. I have used it on my hunts and it takes a little to figure out how to come down, but it is all in the length you set. I give enough slack that I can run the loop through the step I am standing on and it reach half way down to the next step. Once I have it through the step, I bring it up beside the step and put my foot in it. I run it through the step to keep it from wrapping around the tree or causing my foot to fly off to the side of the tree. Then I lower my foot until the rope is tight. Step down to the next step and repeat. My aider is long enough that I can drop 2 steps and reach up to unclip it and remove the step it is clipped to. Its easier than it sounds. You should be able to do the same process with the WE aider. I can get about 4ft between each step doing this, 5 steps and I'm roughly 20ft up.

 

[Wlog]

I’m using a Lone Wolf strap as an aider. One loop stays cinched around my foot, other loop has a carabiner on it to attach to WE Stepp rung. Adjustment buckle is on the top side loop. Simple, easy, loop stays on my foot so I’m not worried about finding it in the dark. My stepps are set about 3.5 ft apart. I’m relatively short 5’9”ish. My steps have camo hockey tape as does carabiner to quiet them.

 

[rutjr]

I’m using a Lone Wolf strap as an aider. One loop stays cinched around my foot, other loop has a carabiner on it to attach to WE Stepp rung. Adjustment buckle is on the top side loop. Simple, easy, loop stays on my foot so I’m not worried about finding it in the dark. My stepps are set about 3.5 ft apart. I’m relatively short 5’9”ish. My steps have camo hockey tape as does carabiner to quiet them.

I was thinking the same thing. Once you have your length set use an o ring above the loop, slide it down on top of your foot so it closes the loop around your foot and won’t fall off. Just a thought. I just got my aider and haven’t had a chance to try it yet.


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[redsquirrel]

I’m using a Lone Wolf strap as an aider. One loop stays cinched around my foot, other loop has a carabiner on it to attach to WE Stepp rung. Adjustment buckle is on the top side loop. Simple, easy, loop stays on my foot so I’m not worried about finding it in the dark. My stepps are set about 3.5 ft apart. I’m relatively short 5’9”ish. My steps have camo hockey tape as does carabiner to quiet them.

That is essential a red squirrel aider! First time I've heard of a lone wolf strap used like that. Nice.

 

[Exiled in MD]

The aider is tricky. Up is easy. I'm only using it on my first 3 Stepps until I'm more confident at coming down. Gets me as high as I'm comfortable with. Even with my climber I rarely hit 20`. I've taken plenty of critters at 15` to know that if can be done.

 

[Stanlew]

I haven’t been more than 1 step up yet. Granted I only had these WE steps since April, but so far I have a hematoma and a bloodspot on my leftmost leg where I cracked it on a step practicing with a knaider. I still have bruises and scratches on my arm when my step slipped when trying the modified cane meathod on an oak. I about rack myself when I say screw it and just go for regular use and a linesman when I put 1 and 2 on, climb up, I am putting 3 around the tree when 1 gives away and I catch my boys on 2. It is pissing me off, only reason I don’t return them is 1, it’s probably me, and 2 I abhor restocking fees when it’s a 1 lb piece of steel. If it was a 200lb refrigerator I could see, but they could just put these in a box for the next customer. I might get some helium sticks untill I’m proficient with the steps.

 

[David Ray]

I recently used the knaider/swaider. That's an easy system to operate with the WE steps. I was about 20 feet up with 5 steps. Maybe more. Not really sure.

 

[dblomberg4]

I space my steps about 3 - 3.5 foot apart and w/ 8 steps I can get 20' using 2 stepps as my platform, so about 7 stepps to 20'. I haven't had problems camming mine over after a lot of practice and stretching and leaving them out and re-tightening...

 

[Deerinthawoods]

I spent a ton of time sewing and designing a well made movable aider for my hawk helium sticks, and I ended up in the exact same precarious position you just described. Solved it with this...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0791VRQDM

It cinches to your boot, so no shifting around and it is fully adjustable for step length. Better than my crappy design by far!

That’s essentially a Swaider

 

[Deerinthawoods]

I use the @Cain method for climbing with the WE Stepps. Going up I'm always tethered and I can just reverse the process coming down. No need to fish around in the dark with a foot for the aider.

If you haven't seen it a link to the Cain method is below. It is pretty simple. I don't kick off the tree like Cain I just push away with my foot and with a tight tether you swing right up to where you can get your free foot on the next stepp. Only downside is having to tie stepps above your head but that gets pretty easy too with practice.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I actually take a long enough rope with me for a tether that I most often rappel down and remove the stepps as I go.

https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/how-i-use-the-wild-edge-stepps.5111/

I have practiced with this a little and I like it better than using an aider. I will agree that tying and cramming the steps at or above eye level takes some time to master and I haven’t gotten there yet. My biggest fear with this method is having the set that is clipped into my riggers belt un-cam while under load. That step has the be placed high enough that the pressure is pulling down and not up.

 

[bow.hunter816]

I spent a ton of time sewing and designing a well made movable aider for my hawk helium sticks, and I ended up in the exact same precarious position you just described. Solved it with this...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0791VRQDM

It cinches to your boot, so no shifting around and it is fully adjustable for step length. Better than my crappy design by far!

I'm curious how it works on hawk heliums

 

[Jefferson10940]

I don't use the aider coming back down it can be pretty sketchy in the dark like you found out. I simply grab ahold of the step at waist level and lower myself down to the next step. Try it, it's easier then it sounds.

This is exactly what I do also, no need for the aider on the way down.

 

[Deerinthawoods]

I have practiced with this a little and I like it better than using an aider. I will agree that tying and cramming the steps at or above eye level takes some time to master and I haven’t gotten there yet. My biggest fear with this method is having the set that is clipped into my riggers belt un-cam while under load. That step has the be placed high enough that the pressure is pulling down and not up.

I have had a step un-cam before. It was a little unnerving for sure. After that I played with the scenario at ground level and under no circumstance did the knot fail. That made me feel a lot better about it. With practice, it becomes much easier to get the step spacing correct.