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Aiders in the dark

griff said:
I tried the single step aider Saturday hanging cameras and I was able to achieve my estimated 7ft to the top of my first stick without issue. I am using muddy aerolites as I am not bothered by a few extra pounds.
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That would mean taking about 2 32 inch steps. One to the aider and one from the aider to the stick. If the stick is 30 inches




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Ontariofarmer said:
That would mean taking about 2 32 inch steps. One to the aider and one from the aider to the stick. If the stick is 30 inches




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That's 10" over. 32" step is on my upper limit. My aider is 28" below the first step and my step from the ground is roughly the same with the stick giving 30". I am over 6'4" in my boots so I can get a little higher than the average person.
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Yup, At 6 foot 4 and likely not 60 years old... I can see you doing that. I am 5 foot 10 so take a foot off that total height per stick and aider unless I pull my foot up with Red's aider or an easy aider.
 
Ontariofarmer said:
Yup, At 6 foot 4 and likely not 60 years old... I can see you doing that. I am 5 foot 10 so take a foot off that total height per stick and aider unless I pull my foot up with Red's aider or an easy aide

I need to check out some of these other aider methods, but since this will be my first year in a saddle I want to be 100% comfortable on opening day. I didn't want to try the multi step aider because I was afraid of it kicking out with my height and weight (260lbs).
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I wonder if kickouts are more likely the higher you raise your foot because you tend to lean back in the saddle as you do it. Just wonder if anyone would agree or disagree.
Rock climbing aiders all seem to have short steps... to stay close to the wall.
 
Ontariofarmer said:
I wonder if kickouts are more likely the higher you raise your foot because you tend to lean back in the saddle as you do it. Just wonder if anyone would agree or disagree.
Rock climbing aiders all seem to have short steps... to stay close to the wall.
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I’m no expert. Just a rookie but I’d say the more vertical you are the more chance of a kick out.
 
I only had kickouts when I started using aiders. I began with 2 step homemade ones with steps 20 inches apart.
Since I have used the black diamonds I doubt I have had any.

Maybe my technique is better with time or maybe the short steps are more stable. That is why I am asking are wide steps just as stable.

I think the greater the distance between steps the more you have to lean back in your saddle and the more forward pressure your foot exerts on the aider.


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Ontariofarmer said:
I only had lockouts when I started using aiders. I began with 2 step homemade ones with steps 20 inches apart.
Since I have used the black diamonds I doubt I have had any.

Maybe my technique is better with time or maybe the short steps are more stable. That is why I am asking


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So are you using the black diamond as a movable aider around the top of the stick? This year I want to go the aider route and I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about it. Thanks
 
gabowhtr said:
So are you using the black diamond as a movable aider around the top of the stick? This year I want to go the aider route and I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about it. Thanks
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Yup that is what I did last year. I have not decided for this year. The disadvantage of multiple steps is the number of them and the short distance between them


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I am experimenting with using an adjustable rigid foot loop as my aider in conjunction with my W.E. steps but carry my rappel rope and device for exiting the tree. There is something very reassuring about being secured all the way down dissmantelling you system as you go down. Going up with an aider allows you to ascend faster but I personally don't care for struggling with the aider on the way down.
 
cedar paul said:
I am experimenting with using an adjustable rigid foot loop as my aider in conjunction with my W.E. steps but carry my rappel rope and device for exiting the tree. There is something very reassuring about being secured all the way down dissmantelling you system as you go down. Going up with an aider allows you to ascend faster but I personally don't care for struggling with the aider on the way down.
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I'd give it some practice. Honestly I rarely use the aiders much on the way down. The steps are so close together (relatively). I climb down faster than I climb up...by a lot! Once you transfer your weight to the step, you just ease yourself down.

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I'll give it a lot of practise and I think I am finally getting the setup for using several for a platform.
 
If you are using a gri gri on the way down do you tie off as you stop and remove steps for safety. I am thinking of doing the same but just wanted to know the safe way to hold myself in position while stopped when repelling and removing steps or sticks.

BassBoysLLP said:
I'd give it some practice. Honestly I rarely use the aiders much on the way down. The steps are so close together (relatively). I climb down faster than I climb up...by a lot! Once you transfer your weight to the step, you just ease yourself down.

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Ontariofarmer said:
If you are using a gri gri on the way down do you tie off as you stop and remove steps for safety. I am thinking of doing the same but just wanted to know the safe way to hold myself in position while stopped when repelling and removing steps or sticks.
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I don't use a mechanical descender like a GriGri but I would recommend backing up a GriGri. I simply hold the stepp and ease myself down. Really no different than climbing down with the Cain method. Just a little farther step spacing which isn't an issue coming down.

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I use an ISC D4 descender and it locks wherever you stop and also has a dedicated lock off position for working. While you pay a little in weight its features out shine the Gri Gri. I can descend with Gri Gri 2 and stop and as long as there is tension you are held in position but when unweighted it will slide down the rope.
 
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