Anyone ever get setup and just not feel comfortable (safe) at height?

[rutjr]

I climbed a tree which I thought was OK but when I got set at height I realized it was a dead tree but not dead a long time. I felt a little uncomfortable but thought it was just new seasoned wood. It may have been a recent kill of the Spotted Lanternfly. I thought about climbing down but did not and everything was OK.

I did the same thing a few weeks ago. I got to where I wanted to be and scewed in a hook to hang my bow and it didn't feel right, I looked up and realized the tree was dead.

 

[dlist777]

The other day I climbed a tree and set my tether just below a spot where a large branch came off the tree. When I went to transition off my LB, I noticed the tether slip down more than usual as it set. I then noticed that the tree trunk started to widen below the branch. So, my tether was set, but the tree narrowed below it. I kept thinking that can't be good. The trunk should be the same circumference or wider as you move down, that way the tether can really lock in.

I was probably fine but it was worrying me too much. I moved down a few feet to a spot I was more comfy with.

 

[hickstick]

thanks everyone...glad to know I'm not alone. @dlist777 this particular setup I had a spot were a large(prob 6-8") branch 'used to be' right about where my there wanted to be on the weak side of the tree, so I fished it around and up and over this spot... so it was at the top of a widened section below. but this also put it just over a dead branch about 1.5" in dia on the strong side of the tree...and I didn't like my tether anywhere near that.

I can't get out again until saturday.

 

[Spence71]

I had that exact deal just last night. Tree was a little skinnier than I’ve climbed. And no matter how hard I set it, my platform wasn’t hanging right. Bottom was tight. Top was leaning towards me a little. Wasn’t going anywhere with 230 pounds of counter weight and gravity holding it down. So was ready a little uneasy. Then I noticed it was dead. Like mentioned above, not all dead. Just mostly dead. Not climbing down for that. Then the wind kicked in. Never swayed that much. Normally would have sat for another 20-30 min. By end of shooting light I was already about back to the Jeep. That and no deer since 745 that am.

I used to free climb, once upon a time. Until I almost fell 75’. Never got the nerve back after that scare. And I was too cheap to buy gear (harness, ropes, friction shoes, binders and such).

And now here I am. Way older. Way fatter. And climbing dumb stuff for fun. Hahaha




Now then, get your equipment--your quiver and bow--and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.
Genesis 27:3

 

[lawrence]

That first time I setup in the dark was unnerving (back in 2011-2012) now I am used to my checklist. I can see where too big of tree and phishing your cables-and ropes would one of those situations.

 

[Wirrex]

Reading these I’m feeling like I have too much confidence! I used to freak out with my spurs until I gaffed out several times and nothing happened. Big ass trees are a huge struggle but they are my jam.

 

[hickstick]

@Spence71 only free climbing I've ever done is bouldering at a gym. I've top roped, and multipitch trad climbed a bunch. Always the biggest one in the group at 5'7" and 220#s so I always have 'will my belayer be able to hold me' in the back of my mind. one route had a big undercut with a challenging crux above it...I would gas out getting past the undercut and get to the crux and struggle...fell about 10 feet and whipped into the undercut but thankfully came out with just a scratch on my knee.

Ice climbing is a blast too. last year had both crampons blow out and was hanging by my axes. thankfully pull ups are part of my routine

 

[neonomad]

But at times Hunting really hasn’t been as fun this year because every time I hunt it’s like I’m having to figure it out as I go. This strap, that strap, this carabiner goes where?... But I would be lying if I didn’t think of the days with my climber and how simple it was lol.

Nobody ever mentions it, but the JX3 is quite a bit of rope / biner wrangling, and for me when it’s folded, my attachment points on the side loops are always in slightly different spots (I hang sticks from there, etc) I also wear an RC harness under it and feed the tether above me as I go. You’d better be fully alert going up and down. I plan to brainstorm how to improve my system into next season and practice different tweaks. But if I know there’s a good tree somewhere I’ll probably grab a climber every now and then too. Wanted to commit to the JX3 for every hunt this year, and I’m getting more efficient, gradually. But everybody talks about the comfort, as though it’s no effort at all, and there is definitely effort required.

 

[Apex7]

No I never felt uncomfortable or unsafe in a saddle. Now many many years ago I was in an Loggy bayou climbing stand that I couldn't get the pins under the seat to push in so I could fold the seat down so I could climb down. If you ever use a Loggy you known what I mean about the pins under the seat. I had to use the tip of my buck knife to push the pins in . When I got back to camp I check out the stand and found out it was not square and that's why it wouldn't fold down. So I was a little freaked out thinking I would be stuck in a tree in December with no way down.

 

[hickstick]

@neonomad I literally just sold my Climber this week and have some bites on a couple of my 16 ladder sticks. I'm 100% saddle now. I even got invited to hunt with a friend earlier in the season who told me to go up in his ladder stand. I brought my sticks and saddle....climbed up in the ladder and just didn't like it. climbed back down and picked a tree 20 yards away and went up in my saddle. lol...passed 2 deer that would have been way too far of a shot from the ladder stand.

 

[Davis21]

Nobody ever mentions it, but the JX3 is quite a bit of rope / biner wrangling, and for me when it’s folded, my attachment points on the side loops are always in slightly different spots (I hang sticks from there, etc) I also wear an RC harness under it and feed the tether above me as I go. You’d better be fully alert going up and down. I plan to brainstorm how to improve my system into next season and practice different tweaks. But if I know there’s a good tree somewhere I’ll probably grab a climber every now and then too. Wanted to commit to the JX3 for every hunt this year, and I’m getting more efficient, gradually. But everybody talks about the comfort, as though it’s no effort at all, and there is definitely effort required.

If you figure a system out to keep all the straps and ropes organized keep me posted! That’s my biggest issue as well

 

[Bwhana]

Nobody ever mentions it, but the JX3 is quite a bit of rope / biner wrangling, and for me when it’s folded, my attachment points on the side loops are always in slightly different spots (I hang sticks from there, etc) I also wear an RC harness under it and feed the tether above me as I go. You’d better be fully alert going up and down. I plan to brainstorm how to improve my system into next season and practice different tweaks. But if I know there’s a good tree somewhere I’ll probably grab a climber every now and then too. Wanted to commit to the JX3 for every hunt this year, and I’m getting more efficient, gradually. But everybody talks about the comfort, as though it’s no effort at all, and there is definitely effort required.

So you spent $375 for the JX3 and still use an RCH with it? Certainly your choice, but that makes zero sense. I rocked a $5 piece of fleece with my RCH last fall and made better use of the $370 difference, and had zero issues with rope and straps.

 

[Peterk1234]

Hick, you are smarter than me for sure. Once I am hooked into the tether I could care less what is going on, well except for the tree snapping. Two weeks ago I go to a spot where I had preset my brackets for a platform. It was still dark. I hit the brackets with my light before climbing and notice that half the tree about six feet above my brackets was gone. It was laying nicely on the ground. I was still tempted to climb it. I wised up and just found another tree about 20 feet away.

The first thing I do when I get to platform height is set my tether. It is such a nice feeling to be hooked into that thing and then just sit back into my sitdrag. Probably also helps that I have a lazy eye and have zero depth perception. I can't tell if I ma ten feet off the ground or thirty Pete

 

[neonomad]

So you spent $375 for the JX3 and still use an RCH with it? Certainly your choice, but that makes zero sense. I rocked a $5 piece of fleece with my RCH last fall and made better use of the $370 difference, and had zero issues with rope and straps.

So yeah I did and I do. Do you have a JX3? I have a family and have no confidence in the leg straps to do anything in the case of a static fall during the climb. Is there any possibility of me making a climbing mistake in the next 20 years? How many climbing mistakes does it take to cause an injury? One? I don’t care what anybody says, I go with two levels of failure protection. So I add maybe 8oz to my haul in to achieve that. I’m safer, with all the comfort of the JX3.

 

[Bwhana]

So yeah I did and I do. Do you have a JX3? I have a family and have no confidence in the leg straps to do anything in the case of a static fall during the climb. Is there any possibility of me making a climbing mistake in the next 20 years? How many climbing mistakes does it take to cause an injury? One? I don’t care what anybody says, I go with two levels of failure protection. So I add maybe 8oz to my haul in to achieve that. I’m safer, with all the comfort of the JX3.

Like I said, certainly your choice, but it caught me off guard since I've never seen anyone else do that. I demoed it at Saddlepalooza and saw no need for anything extra. The point of commercial saddles is to not need an RCH, so reach out to John with suggestions to make it where you would and be better for all users.

 

[Westdesign03]

Anytime I try to climb a tree that’s too big around, that’s exactly how I feel. The right sized tree absolutely makes or breaks the experience, at least for me. I’m fact, before I climbed with any kind of hunting gear (hang on stand, saddle, etc) I would practice in my yard on the trees that I have knowing they were all too big around. I always struggled and felt unsafe. I would think man I don’t see how people do this. Almost decided maybe hunting in a tree just isn’t for me. Then I tried climbing in the woods on trees that actually made sense to climb and the whole experience was a totally different story. Much easier and felt much safer. Once I did that I breathed a sigh of relief and confidence came right back.


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[hickstick]

Hick, you are smarter than me for sure. Once I am hooked into the tether I could care less what is going on, well except for the tree snapping. Two weeks ago I go to a spot where I had preset my brackets for a platform. It was still dark. I hit the brackets with my light before climbing and notice that half the tree about six feet above my brackets was gone. It was laying nicely on the ground. I was still tempted to climb it. I wised up and just found another tree about 20 feet away.

The first thing I do when I get to platform height is set my tether. It is such a nice feeling to be hooked into that thing and then just sit back into my sitdrag. Probably also helps that I have a lazy eye and have zero depth perception. I can't tell if I ma ten feet off the ground or thirty Pete

Peter...that would have been quite a ride if that had snapped while you were in in. Lol.

I always attach my tether and keep my linemans on before climbing on my platform. I was up in a branchy maple yesterday but only to about 10 feet - but that was mostly due to the cover around me, close to a field edge and had 2 small white pines a few feet away go help break up my silhouette.

And this has nothing to do with height. I used to be a steel worker back when there was no fall protection. Heights dont bother me, this was something different.

 

[Dewey]

Hunting marshes and swamps I always end up in questionable trees. If it doesn’t feel right I tear down and move. Not worth the danger or a very uncomfortable sit.

 

[robstewart]

Climbing & decending bothers me more. Once I'm "settled in" I feel OK,other than dreading decent!

Start rappelling. I hate climbing down but I enjoy the rappel at the end of the day.


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[larasea]

Start rappelling. I hate climbing down but I enjoy the rappel at the end of the day.


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