anyone else see this? panther climbing platform

[Plebe]

We all have different priorities and experiences for sure. I too thought the climb down with my LWHC was easy, but still would choose to pack rappel gear if I was doing it today.

I feel like the "pack rappel gear" argument gets overplayed and I hope it doesn't scare people off. My rappel setup weighs 1.75 lbs and fits completely in a small EWO fleece pouch. I don't have to bring a separate tether which has to be half a pound and itself is like 10 feet of rope. So for a little over a pound and a small dump pouch's amount of space I can bail from the tree at a moment's notice, and enjoy the ride at the end of a hunt. Of the things I'm tempted to just leave at the truck, or regret the weight/bulk/fiddle factor of, my rappel setup is never one of them.

Climbing down, I usually have to adjust my belt length at least once. On rappel, one can take a small climbing platform entirely off the tree if one wishes. Done safely, that’s a nice convenience.

 

[Horn]

I don’t mean to leave the other considerations aside as in they don’t matter. I’m acknowledging all the reasons folks are going to tell me to rappel ahead of time. I’m trying to drill down specifically on the time and annoyance at the base of a tree after a hunt.

And I’m doing so with an open mind. I’ve tried it a couple dozen times. I can’t make it make sense. Part of that probably has a lot to do with hunting places where the amount of stuff around a tree makes corralling rappel rope after a hunt a pain.


I’m trying to see if this is a place I can improve.

Is it your rappel rope that's a struggle or the retrieval rope? I usually take 1 TN stick, my x- wing with aider and layers. I haven't timed it either but I've never had a problem with my rap rope, retrieval yes. I'd suggest trying a bit bigger retrieval rope if that's where the problem lies. One pocket on my pack for rappel rope. Flap with compression straps takes no time at all for the stick and platform.

I've also found that connecting my retrieval rope between a stopper knot ( tag end, I suppose, the leftover tail from the scaffold) and the delta link works best for getting the rappel rope down, fwiw

 

[MattMan81]

So I had a summit climbing tree stand back in the day. I never heard anyone mention using that as a platform yet. Are they much different than the lone wolf? Maybe heavier and bigger. I can see the desire. Kinda wish I never sold it just so I could play with it some. I like @kyler1945 point of just going down the tree. Nothing is more fun in the dark than un tangling 2 sets of ropes twisted together in branches. In combination with a saddle the tree climber sounds like a safer option to me. But definitely not for the ounce counter.

 

[Plebe]

So I had a summit climbing tree stand back in the day. I never heard anyone mention using that as a platform yet. Are they much different than the lone wolf? Maybe heavier and bigger. I can see the desire. Kinda wish I never sold it just so I could play with it some. I like @kyler1945 point of just going down the tree. Nothing is more fun in the dark than un tangling 2 sets of ropes twisted together in branches. In combination with a saddle the tree climber sounds like a safer option to me. But definitely not for the ounce counter.

Summit Open Shot alternative to LWHC

I am awaiting delivery of a Lone Wolf Hand Climber. I decided to see if my old Summit Open Shot top would work and I have been pleasantly surprised. It weighs 4lbs 6oz and is rock steady climbing. Doyle’s hoist fits like a glove on the front brace. I used 650lb 2mm Dyneema Ironwire to make...

saddlehunter.com

 

[kyler1945]

Is it your rappel rope that's a struggle or the retrieval rope? I usually take 1 TN stick, my x- wing with aider and layers. I haven't timed it either but I've never had a problem with my rap rope, retrieval yes. I'd suggest trying a bit bigger retrieval rope if that's where the problem lies. One pocket on my pack for rappel rope. Flap with compression straps takes no time at all for the stick and platform.

I've also found that connecting my retrieval rope between a stopper knot ( tag end, I suppose, the leftover tail from the scaffold) and the delta link works best for getting the rappel rope down, fwiw

It’s what to do once all the crap is down or halfway down.

The best way I’ve found to pull it all down is the Doyle’s hoist and a gloved hand.

The issue is what to do when it’s all tangled up in briars, saplings, leaves, sticks, etc.

This isn’t world ending stuff.

My point is that from a time perspective we all focus on the 25 second descent. I’m most interested in how people who hunt in anything besides open hardwoods manage to get it all contained packed and handled, faster and quieter and more conveniently than just climbing down(with whatever method).



Getting off topic a bit.

Relating it to the topic at hand - I’m very interested in a climbing platform. But not if I have to rappel to make it useful. I don’t climb trees enough for that to be worth it.

But if someone could show me how to make the retrieval gathering and pack up process take two minutes and be quiet, I’d be more interested.

 

[dougell]

Do they have a websire or facebook page?

 

[Nutterbuster]

Do they have a websire or facebook page?

All I've seen is a youtube channel.

 

[Nutterbuster]

A basic setup of a platform is what I find is best along with sticks. Only negative is the carrying and packing of sticks.

You're not wrong. I don't like carrying my sticks. But I like climbing up and down with them a whole lot. It's quick. It's quiet. It's easy. The little bit I do climb, I've been using them the past several seasons.

But, sticks suck if you wanna go higher than about 12-15ft. Then you get into the whole aider mess. For places where you want to get 20-30 ft, something like this has my attention, because I've never found an easier thing to use than a climber for going up into the nosebleed section.

Like sticks, I love everything about a climber except carrying the thing. They're quick, they're quiet, they're easy.

 

[raisins]

You're not wrong. I don't like carrying my sticks. But I like climbing up and down with them a whole lot. It's quick. It's quiet. It's easy. The little bit I do climb, I've been using them the past several seasons.

But, sticks suck if you wanna go higher than about 12-15ft. Then you get into the whole aider mess. For places where you want to get 20-30 ft, something like this has my attention, because I've never found an easier thing to use than a climber for going up into the nosebleed section.

Like sticks, I love everything about a climber except carrying the thing. They're quick, they're quiet, they're easy.

If I'm honest....a 1 step carry as you go aider almost doubles my climbing time and probably doubles the odds of an accident and doubles the chance I'll make noise while climbing.

 

[Plebe]

You're not wrong. I don't like carrying my sticks. But I like climbing up and down with them a whole lot. It's quick. It's quiet. It's easy. The little bit I do climb, I've been using them the past several seasons.

But, sticks suck if you wanna go higher than about 12-15ft. Then you get into the whole aider mess. For places where you want to get 20-30 ft, something like this has my attention, because I've never found an easier thing to use than a climber for going up into the nosebleed section.

Like sticks, I love everything about a climber except carrying the thing. They're quick, they're quiet, they're easy.

I like that a climbing platform is one piece of gear to mess with. Simplifies a lot.

 

[Speedfreek48]

How much time from when you decide to rappel down, to the time you walk away from the tree to leave?

Including the time to make whatever connections or switches on to rappel gear, rappel down, the time to pull down your rappel rope, untangle it from all the crap under the tree, bundle it up, pack it up.

This is the fiddle factor and time that I can’t see to get over.

Leaving the other upsides of having the secondary way out of the tree, constant tension, etc.


Are you able to do the above in less than 5 minutes on average, quietly?

I don’t one stick a lot these days. But when I did, and it was 50+ degrees so I wasn’t packing tons of layers, I’d just climb down, pick up my bow and walk away from tree with stick in hand.

Using a separate tether instead of rappel rope was one of those "bright ideas" that after trying I thought, "what was I thinking".... definitely not my first. I'm one of these guys that over the last 15 years or so have tried about every type of climbing method I've seen, given up on some methods & gone back & tried them again. I lean towards one sticking now on public land, but honestly it took me a couple of seasons to really feel comfortable hanging off the tree advancing the stick, even though I knew I wasn't going anywhere. I think I fiddle with my gear as much as I hunt... actually coming to the "dark side" now & have a JX3 on the way. I bought a Guidos Web, way back when they came out, & loved it for all day sits, but it was awkward climbing with so I got away from it all together. Looks like that won't be an issue at all with the JX3 I just hadn't looked at them much because for 3 or 4 hour sits a saddle was fine. Now I'm over 50 & put a little more priority on comfort. I've also gotten soft over the years & have to wear knee pads now in a regular saddle, whereas used to it didn't bother me to have knees against a tree without knee pads. So the tree fork will keep me from that all together.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

You're not wrong. I don't like carrying my sticks. But I like climbing up and down with them a whole lot. It's quick. It's quiet. It's easy. The little bit I do climb, I've been using them the past several seasons.

But, sticks suck if you wanna go higher than about 12-15ft. Then you get into the whole aider mess. For places where you want to get 20-30 ft, something like this has my attention, because I've never found an easier thing to use than a climber for going up into the nosebleed section.

Like sticks, I love everything about a climber except carrying the thing. They're quick, they're quiet, they're easy.

I know you have expressed preferring feet on solid objects as you climb, and in turn you seem to be most comfortable as a LB climber.

That said, I'm kinda surprised you haven't gone down the 2TC rabbit hole. It fits your stated desire for an extremely packable, squirrel hunting type setup. It accomodates your nosebleed desires when they emerge. And it works best in conjunction with a ROS such as your much loved Squirrel Steps.

Just a thought after reading years of your posts. The more I think about climbers (full stands or saddle versions) and 2TC, the more I see them as effectively the same type of climbing system.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[Speedfreek48]

Using a separate tether instead of rappel rope was one of those "bright ideas" that after trying I thought, "what was I thinking".... definitely not my first. I'm one of these guys that over the last 15 years or so have tried about every type of climbing method I've seen, given up on some methods & gone back & tried them again. I lean towards one sticking now on public land, but honestly it took me a couple of seasons to really feel comfortable hanging off the tree advancing the stick, even though I knew I wasn't going anywhere. I think I fiddle with my gear as much as I hunt... actually coming to the "dark side" now & have a JX3 on the way. I bought a Guidos Web, way back when they came out, & loved it for all day sits, but it was awkward climbing with so I got away from it all together. Looks like that won't be an issue at all with the JX3 I just hadn't looked at them much because for 3 or 4 hour sits a saddle was fine. Now I'm over 50 & put a little more priority on comfort. I've also gotten soft over the years & have to wear knee pads now in a regular saddle, whereas used to it didn't bother me to have knees against a tree without knee pads. So the tree fork will keep me from that all together.

Just remembered why I'd tried the separate tether..... was given 100' of Sterling 6mm with Technora sheath & a F3 descender to rappel with. It was very compact, rated for around 1800 lbs best I remember, but I didn't want to hang all hunt off of that small stuff. I tried it out practicing & it seemed alright holding my 140 lbs, but I ultimately decided against it altogether. Just didn't like that small of a diameter line holding me up & just stuck with my 9mm Canyon.

 

[Red Beard]

I know you have expressed preferring feet on solid objects as you climb, and in turn you seem to be most comfortable as a LB climber.

That said, I'm kinda surprised you haven't gone down the 2TC rabbit hole. It fits your stated desire for an extremely packable, squirrel hunting type setup. It accomodates your nosebleed desires when they emerge. And it works best in conjunction with a ROS such as your much loved Squirrel Steps.

Just a thought after reading years of your posts. The more I think about climbers (full stands or saddle versions) and 2TC, the more I see them as effectively the same type of climbing system.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

This guy gets it

 

[TNSTAAFL]

This guy gets it

For the record, I don't 2TC. I just see it as a climbing stand technique that seems to suit @Nutterbuster's requirements quite well.

I've contemplated it a bunch. To me it is a ROS approach only. If I want more than a ROS, and I do, I'm going to be using that something (1-stick) to climb with .

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[Samcirrus]

For the record, I don't 2TC. I just see it as a climbing stand technique that seems to suit @Nutterbuster's requirements quite well.

I've contemplated it a bunch. To me it is a ROS approach only. If I want more than a ROS, and I do, I'm going to be using that something (1-stick) to climb with .

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Funny, I don't like using a ROS and well only use my platforms. I carry my bow on my back and pull up my platform even though it only weighs less than * lbs. I tried turning my carbon platforms into climbers and didn't like the clunking and after seeing 2TC a few years ago haven't looked back.

 

[Red Beard]

For the record, I don't 2TC. I just see it as a climbing stand technique that seems to suit @Nutterbuster's requirements quite well.

I've contemplated it a bunch. To me it is a ROS approach only. If I want more than a ROS, and I do, I'm going to be using that something (1-stick) to climb with .

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Totally understand. I was just in agreement that it would seem to suit @Nutterbuster's hunting style.

 

[Nutterbuster]

My gripe with 2 tether is that everything I've seen it in action it's looked like the goofiest, sweatiest, dirtiest, loudest, most irritating way up a tree you could possibly invent.

 

[Andrew]

It’s what to do once all the crap is down or halfway down.

100% agree. That's the main reason I gave up rappelling and started one sticking down then ultimately just switched to 2TC. I found it to be a huge annoyance packing up the rappel and pull down line, all while dealing with the briars and limbs.

My gripe with 2 tether is that everything I've seen it in action it's looked like the goofiest, sweatiest, dirtiest, loudest, most irritating way up a tree you could possibly invent.

Thought the same thing at first but was pleasantly surprised after just a few climbs. Very similar to using a climber. And easy to pack up at the base of the tree.

 

[Red Beard]

Quasi-related... any of ya'll super-efficient searchers or good rememberers recall the LWHC mod threads? If so, might you hook a brother up and post links?