An Absolute Nightmare

[MaxJac]

Best thing you could do is starting early and practice far ahead of hunting season. I had similar situations when starting saddle hunting. As others said, focus on climbing first, then shooting. As for cost for things such as rappel equipment or other climbing stuff, I learned the following lesson: instead of buying a lot of cheap (best price) equipment, I think carefully what I need and then buy the best I can afford in my budget. It’s also called buy once, cry once. Personally, I found this to be the less expensive route in the long run. Plenty times, I bought something based on cost, only to find myself replacing the same item with the best item. I could have saved the low cost purchase.

because we have 95% pine trees to climb here, I use the LW Hand climber. It’s my climbing method and Plattform. Good quality, money saved. My thinking was, I need a climbing method and a Plattform, why not one for both. Rappelling came later, for the fun and convenience factor. A rope, ATC with autoblock wasn’t that crazy expensive, even when getting the best quality.

keep practicing and don’t get frustrated. I like those moments when I overcome frustration and patience pays out. Good luck!

 

[Bigfoot522]

This is the little guy.
Light and compact.
Easy to use.
They advise keeping hold of the slack end at all times hence the auto blok.

 

[ricky racer]

I need to use a different platform, using the bottom step of my stick was not working for me. I am going to try and assemble one out of wood in order to keep the cost low. If anyone has any recommendation when it comes to a diy wooden platform i am all ears.

Old School DIY Platform: Part 1

So I've been wanting a light weight easily portable saddle for some time. The Predator looked like it would fit the bill and I got on the band wagon early, placing my order. I was among the first to receive my new Predator and was tickled pink to get it and try it out. After inspection and...

saddlehunter.com

Old School DIY Platform: Part 2

The 1/4" Amsteel rope came today so I was able to splice it to the platform thanks to G2's video. My method of attachment is somewhat unique and is something I've used for years in the past. It has always worked well for me even in years past I used rope from the hardware store instead of the...

saddlehunter.com

 

[Kurt]

Rappelling is certainly looking like the way to go. Cost is keeping me from making the switch right now, but I am sure it will be in my future eventually.

It's important to have a well thought out order of operations for climbing and decending. Practice this many times at ground level before moving up the tree, and then move up incrementally. Contact time is your friend. I've climbed trees for work most of my life and I spent about three hours yesterday setting up one step and setting my platform only to take it all down to do it again. Eventually I made it up three steps to do the set up and take down. It is different for some folks to be at height, but go slow and gain confidence in your equipment and your technique. You got this just stick with it.. Be safe.

 

[Yazoo Hntr]

This is the little guy.
Light and compact.
Easy to use.
They advise keeping hold of the slack end at all times hence the auto blok.View attachment 28688

It is not rated for 8mm rope. Oplux is 8mm. The Black diamond ATC is rated for ropes 8.7 to 10.5. Be sure to use the correct rope with the correct belay device.

 

[mtsrunner]

There are so many things that can go wrong doing this stuff. Having the equipment to rappel doesn’t eliminate all the potential problems, but it sure does take care of a ton of them.


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[Stags]

I am trying to think through the equipment needed to repel with a setup like this vs the benefit.
With enough rope and associated climbing gear to pull it off, aren't you at the same gear level of DRT? Is the addition of the stick in that case just a matter of it being easier to Ascend with a foothold, and easier to Descend by repelling?
If so, that makes sense to me. otherwise, what am I missing?

 

[Yazoo Hntr]

Well, DRT requires twice the rope. SRT requires a Grigri or madrock safeguard plus a hand ascender with foot loop. I have tried all methods except DRT. All methods include: 4 sticks with fixed aiders. 4 sticks with versa aider. 3 sticks with versa aider. One stick climbing, SRT and wild edge steps with knaider and swaider. Each have their pluses and minuses. Just to rappel requires 35 feet of Oplux or HTP rope and a figure 8. You can get more expensive belay devices. Climbing down with any type aider is something I do not prefer to do over rappelling. Especially at dark. I have not decided which method I will use the most. Most likely SRT.

 

[Stags]

Got it. Looks like you are ahead of me on the "test all the climbing methods' journey

 

[Yazoo Hntr]

Got it. Looks like you are ahead of me on the "test all the climbing methods' journey

yeah, so far one sticking and SRT seem to be my best options so far. SRT only if I preset paracord loops to pull main rope into tree. Trying to use a throw ball in the dark is not an option.

 

[LarkHarrison243]

There are so many things that can go wrong doing this stuff. Having the equipment to rappel doesn’t eliminate all the potential problems, but it sure does take care of a ton of them.


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Once I get a platform figured out rappelling will be next on the list.