Best Climbing Methods

[Buff93411]

I'm new to saddle hunting and am wondering what is the best way to climb to hunting height.

 

[DaveT1963]

A quick search will so many posts on this. IMO, day in and day out, the single best system for public and private, works in almost any tree you simply cannot beat 3 modified, double step sticks with a moveable aider. Yep there are a ton of other options and they all work, but I prefer having one method that works everywhere, every time and in any tree. For me its my 3 modified helium sticks and my carry as you go aider. I can get 20 foot easy and unlimited if I want to one stick. Since I do NOT hunt over 20-22 foot my system works perfectly for me.


https://youtu.be/KhGKXGDvN4M


https://youtu.be/_FFlv63O_5E


https://youtu.be/IRnmrX3TiYI


https://youtu.be/ttu27JCLddY


https://youtu.be/kTf5_hNOhi8


https://youtu.be/ttu27JCLddY

 

[drew13]

Yup, the modded hawk heliums with moveable aider work great. But like Dave said, do a search on here and you'll find a million different options since everyone values different benefits. There is no single "best" way. Poke around the site and you'll find info on wild edge stepps, aiders, knaiders and swaiders, modded and stock climbing sticks from every manufacturer, DIY sticks and steps, climbing spurs, rope only ascent methods (SRT and DRT), webbing aider only, eonpow climbers, hand-climbers, etc, etc, etc... So many options and opinions! Also depends on whether you like to do DIY or modify your equipment or not.

For your first year in a saddle, it would probably be best to pick one option and master it. Climbing sticks with a single loop aider are pretty easy to get started with. The addiction and quest for the right system for you will grow from there....

 

[Jgetch]

Imo for someone new to a saddle using sticks for the first season would be my recommendation. They are generally straight forward in their use and debatably the safest system especially for someone relatively new to climbing trees.

The ongoing and evolving discussion of the “best” system however is probably my favorite on the forum and since you asked I’d have to throw my vote behind the WE stepps with K/S. I was formerly a sticks guy but the packability and ease of use of the stepps and K/S once you get through the learning curve won out for me.

 

[IkemanTX]

I would agree with @DaveT1963
If you want to narrow in on a single climbing method first.... I would do modified climbing sticks. Helium’s are my recommendation also, because they mod so easily.

Other climbing methods can be cumbersome at first to learn, may have legal limitations on public land, or trade weight for extra effort.

I’m no specific order, here is a handful of climbing methods...

EZKut bolts
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/treebolts-revisited.4140/

Carbon bolts for the EZKut
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/entire-setup-5-25-lbs.8770/

Spurs
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/lets-talk-tree-spurs.1993/

One sticking
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/1-stick-climbing-method.29/

https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/cons-to-the-one-stick-method.8189/

No sticking
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/no-stick-climbing-with-aider.1952/

Wild Edge Stepps
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/wild-edge-stepps.7310/

Cain method for WE stepps
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/how-i-use-the-wild-edge-stepps.5111/

Knaider/Swaider for multiple climbing platforms (primarily WE stepps)
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/knaider-swaider-tutorial.7406/

SRT and/or DRT
https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/climbing-rope-for-tree-access.104/






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[ClimbingArborist]

You probably don't want to start out climbing SRT but once you learn it, it will change your world. No sticks or steps, just like walking up stairs.

 

[donnieballgame]

Well I started out last year, first year in a saddle and climbing trees with SRT and a hand climber, it was a struggle at first but I learned pretty quickly and could go anywhere for a 16lb setup, I still have 550 cord out in the woods in a few places because I never pulled them all out, one drawback of the SRT is if I found a good spot, I left some 550 cord so I could quickly come back.

I added WE Stepps w/ a kaider/swaider and some Muddy Pro sticks this year and I look forward to trying them out.

 

[ClimbingArborist]

Good idea with the paracord. On private property I use mule tape cause I've got miles of it. Many times in hardwoods I can find a cozy spot on a limb and just leave the platform in the truck.