Have you seen Brooks Maxey's video on Facebook. He is using an Loggy Bayou and AmSteel to get them super tight. I haven't tried this yet with slotted SquirrelSteps - super busy right now - but this looks VERY promising. @mtsrunner - check it out and give us your thoughts. Not sure if I can link a Facebook video here but will try it:
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Amsteel Attachment for Squirrel Steps
- Thread starter SWVAturkeyhunter
- Start date
I wonder how this would work with the standard squirrel steps?
Has anyone just used a spliced eye and a timber hitch on the squirrel steps with just the hole?
Small trees seem easy - this is the main reason I keep this method on hand. Just wrapping the tree 3-4 times will lock them down with amsteel. But a 16" diameter tree will require something better. You'd be looking at about 9-10' of rope to do the method in this video.
Let's keep hammering, there's a way...
9-10' of 1/8" Amsteel is still pretty tiny and light. I imagine you could get pretty good at tightening these down, but at first it would take a minute to set them up until you got the hang of it.
Oh my. That’s better than my solution. I agree that it would require about 10’ of Amsteel per step, though.
It would give you a little bit of warning as it started slipping.
Nope, haven’t tried a timber hitch with regular squirrel steps, but will do that today.
Also, going to try the method that DanO linked from FB.
Got one spliced and ready to try when it gets light outside.
The little hole is like a perfect nest for the tag end.
What size amsteel is that? And I’m assuming that’s a locked Brummell?
@DanO I don’t have any of your slotted steps, only the standard version. Would there be any issue in cutting out a small slot in the front face of the strap hole to try this?
Todd Perkins
-Regional Prostaff Manager for Mossy Oak
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I was just thinking the same thing! Time to grind some metal!
I was even thinking about some sort of screw or bolt tapped on that area to create a knob or faux versa button to loop your timber hitch to
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Update:
Regular (non-slotted) squirrel step with single eye spliced Amsteel did not work with a regular timber hitch.
Non-slotted is also not really feasible to do the method in the FB video because you can’t use the slot to get the mechanical advantage
Regular (non-slotted) squirrel step with single eye spliced Amsteel did not work with a regular timber hitch.
Non-slotted is also not really feasible to do the method in the FB video because you can’t use the slot to get the mechanical advantage
7/64” and yes, locked Brummell splice
Same. At ground level, just for proof of concept and then order the real deal if it looks like a viable option.
A knob, like on Scout Solo/Ridgerunner would make the timber hitch so much easier to twist on vs having to loop each strand over for every hitch
Cutting the spot out or tapping a screw?
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- Jan 17, 2019
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- 6,279
I think this definitely has potential, and would appreciate if others tested/critiqued it.
I don't have squirrel steps, only tree hopper. I stole a daisy chain made out of 1/8" amsteel from a stick to try this. I have not climbed on it yet, but I did step on it and it held very tight. I don't know if this would work with squirrel steps. The daisy chain I used had small brummel lock loops for a small versa button. A daisy chain dedicated to this purpose made of 7/64" amsteel with larger loops would likely work better (fewer knots to slide through loops, but as is worked fine). Also, a woven vera strap might be the best (perhaps a mini), due to filling the slot of the step better and not having knots.. If anyone has a woven versa strap, then try it out and let us know if it works. Also, my daisy chain in the pic is made with triple brummel locks, double brummels might be better
The idea is lifted directly from mtsrunner's idea. You poke the first loop through the slot, run the daisy chain through that loop, double the daisy chain back on itself and find another loop and pass it through that. You now have 3X leverage. Pull tight. Then bring the daisy chain back to the step and wrap around the step multiple times. You could then tuck the daisy chain somewhere (or keep wrapping....I had a lot of daisy chain so gave up after I was sure it was holding). If done tightly, this did not loosen under my body weight. I tried to timber hitch the daisy chain back onto itself like the video on the square post, but it slips. Maybe someone can find a termination method that improves upon my "wrap around the step a bunch method". The pressure of the step when stepping locks all those wraps to the tree/telephone pole so they don't slip. Wraps hardly change angle of step because things slide a bit and smush. A versabutton on the front of a squirrel step would give a nice spot for a wrap/termination hitch.
First photo shows the setup before pulling, second photo shows it all wrapped up. The first time I did it, took maybe 1 minute or less. Very light, no metal.....12 of these would get me 24 feet if I stretch and only weigh 3.5 lbs.
PS. if it takes off I dub it "raisins wrap"
I don't have squirrel steps, only tree hopper. I stole a daisy chain made out of 1/8" amsteel from a stick to try this. I have not climbed on it yet, but I did step on it and it held very tight. I don't know if this would work with squirrel steps. The daisy chain I used had small brummel lock loops for a small versa button. A daisy chain dedicated to this purpose made of 7/64" amsteel with larger loops would likely work better (fewer knots to slide through loops, but as is worked fine). Also, a woven vera strap might be the best (perhaps a mini), due to filling the slot of the step better and not having knots.. If anyone has a woven versa strap, then try it out and let us know if it works. Also, my daisy chain in the pic is made with triple brummel locks, double brummels might be better
The idea is lifted directly from mtsrunner's idea. You poke the first loop through the slot, run the daisy chain through that loop, double the daisy chain back on itself and find another loop and pass it through that. You now have 3X leverage. Pull tight. Then bring the daisy chain back to the step and wrap around the step multiple times. You could then tuck the daisy chain somewhere (or keep wrapping....I had a lot of daisy chain so gave up after I was sure it was holding). If done tightly, this did not loosen under my body weight. I tried to timber hitch the daisy chain back onto itself like the video on the square post, but it slips. Maybe someone can find a termination method that improves upon my "wrap around the step a bunch method". The pressure of the step when stepping locks all those wraps to the tree/telephone pole so they don't slip. Wraps hardly change angle of step because things slide a bit and smush. A versabutton on the front of a squirrel step would give a nice spot for a wrap/termination hitch.
First photo shows the setup before pulling, second photo shows it all wrapped up. The first time I did it, took maybe 1 minute or less. Very light, no metal.....12 of these would get me 24 feet if I stretch and only weigh 3.5 lbs.
PS. if it takes off I dub it "raisins wrap"
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Interesting. I think at this point a delta link or rappel ring could serve as a daisy chain hole. The only downside would be needing to keep the link/ring on the amsteel when you are unwrapping your rope from your steps. If it falls to the ground it would be a pain to have to go get it. the wrapping of the tag end of the rope on a squirrel step is something that needs addressed too.
Although, a delta link on the spliced eye and then timber hitch might get it tight enough to work. I need to order some 7/64" amsteel and get to work.
Although, a delta link on the spliced eye and then timber hitch might get it tight enough to work. I need to order some 7/64" amsteel and get to work.
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- Jan 17, 2019
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The delta link or rappel ring would probably work, but add weight and noise. Do you have a daisy chain to try my method out with?
Unfortunately I do not have a daisy chain.
Hmmm. I’ve actually kid of done the delta link idea with a SMC rappel ring. I was trying to make it like a truckers hitch, though. I didn’t try it with a daisy chain, but I’m going to.
have you tried this method for the hitch?