• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Bolt Climb Video

After watching the video I would have to ask: Is the weight saving from bolts to say WE steps, sticks, etc worth having to do this much work and take this time? Not that its hard physical labor, but having to hand drill each hole, thats a lot of extra work compared to a lot of other methods. Not to mention the speed of some of these, like the cam cleets on Muddy Pro's, or using the Lone Wolf seat climber, or the WE steps.

Not trying to be a smart A, Just would like to get you thought process on going to this method. Personally, I would carry a few extra pounds for how ever many miles, to not have to hand drill each hole every time I go up a tree.

If only we could conjur up some kind of competition format to test these things out. :cool:
 

Well, maybe this year at Saddlepalooza we can do my climbing race if we have enough people interested. I would belay the climbers of course so it would be safe, lol. My thoughts were to have a starting spot a few feet away from the tree, so you would walk like you were just getting there on a hunt and do your thing. Clock stops when you hit the mark on the tree and you are all set up. It may be more fun to drink beer and play cornhole, lol, I don't know but I would be curious to see how fast bolts would be compared to other climbing methods like the hand climber etc.
 
Well, maybe this year at Saddlepalooza we can do my climbing race if we have enough people interested. I would belay the climbers of course so it would be safe, lol. My thoughts were to have a starting spot a few feet away from the tree, so you would walk like you were just getting there on a hunt and do your thing. Clock stops when you hit the mark on the tree and you are all set up. It may be more fun to drink beer and play cornhole, lol, I don't know but I would be curious to see how fast bolts would be compared to other climbing methods like the hand climber etc.

Drink beer, and toss cornhole, from the saddle...
 
Well, maybe this year at Saddlepalooza we can do my climbing race if we have enough people interested. I would belay the climbers of course so it would be safe, lol. My thoughts were to have a starting spot a few feet away from the tree, so you would walk like you were just getting there on a hunt and do your thing. Clock stops when you hit the mark on the tree and you are all set up. It may be more fun to drink beer and play cornhole, lol, I don't know but I would be curious to see how fast bolts would be compared to other climbing methods like the hand climber etc.
I think if I won it would be because my gear management is pretty good when I'm not forgetting what the heck I'm doing. Usually it takes me less than a minute to unpack and be ready to climb. I think a different gear holder and bow hook would help too.

I find that gear management is a huge part of setup time. I've worked very hard to reduce it. My time wasn't bad in the video, bit I could shave a minute or two off.
 
I ordered that pack and it was too small length wise to fit the bolts. I must have ordered a small. Didn’t realize there was more than one size. So once you get to height are you really pulling that Velcro to get to your steps ?

@Vtbow once you get to height are you pulling that Velcro to get to your Cranfords. That’s the only thing I didn’t like about that pouch.
 
@Vtbow once you get to height are you pulling that Velcro to get to your Cranfords. That’s the only thing I didn’t like about that pouch.
I pull the velcro on the ground and tuck it in like I the photo. Then I can do it as quiet as possible. I'll eventually put an extra pice of velcro.over the velcro sonic doesnt stick or make noise and sew on a fastex buckle. But it's not bad as is.
 
I pull the velcro on the ground and tuck it in like I the photo. Then I can do it as quiet as possible. I'll eventually put an extra pice of velcro.over the velcro sonic doesnt stick or make noise and sew on a fastex buckle. But it's not bad as is.

I like what you did there. How long have you been using the cranfords. Any complaints?Coming from a tree stand a platform is just more appealing to me. I like that I can stand up and turn to my weak side. That being said I’m digging the simplicity of the t steps. I’ve used them in the past and I can see them working well the way you are using them. Might not be comfortable on your feet for more than a few hours though.
 
I actually went back to the entrenching punch. It's a touch bigger hand hangs better on my side. It was worth the squeeze.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: PJC
I think if I won it would be because my gear management is pretty good when I'm not forgetting what the heck I'm doing. Usually it takes me less than a minute to unpack and be ready to climb. I think a different gear holder and bow hook would help too.

I find that gear management is a huge part of setup time. I've worked very hard to reduce it. My time wasn't bad in the video, bit I could shave a minute or two off.

No doubt gear management plays a big role, guess we'll have to see who is the fastest come Feb 19!
 
Im not comfortable with the carbon fiber, so what kinda bolts would I be looking at getting? Grade 8 but how long? What's the advantage over screw-ins?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using Tapatalk
 
I like what you did there. How long have you been using the cranfords. Any complaints?Coming from a tree stand a platform is just more appealing to me. I like that I can stand up and turn to my weak side. That being said I’m digging the simplicity of the t steps. I’ve used them in the past and I can see them working well the way you are using them. Might not be comfortable on your feet for more than a few hours though.
They're all I've been using. The majority of my weight is in my saddle and I wear good vibrahm soled hiking boots. I find a ros easier by far to shoot in all directions. Plus they pack amazing.
 
Im not comfortable with the carbon fiber, so what kinda bolts would I be looking at getting? Grade 8 but how long? What's the advantage over screw-ins?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using Tapatalk
6" grade 8, 3/8". Plasta dip them for noise. Lighter than screw ins, quieter, cheaper, and easier for presets because you have rhe holes already and just need the bolts.
 
Im not comfortable with the carbon fiber, so what kinda bolts would I be looking at getting? Grade 8 but how long? What's the advantage over screw-ins?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using Tapatalk
6" grade 8. Quicker to drill a hole than screw most steps in. Packs better. Very easy to pull bolts on the way down to keep your spot secret. Easy to slip back in on the next hunt.
 
Are you drilling at a slight angle. How deep a hole? I could use this on most the land I hunt, and it's probably just a quick and as safe as anything else!
6" grade 8. Quicker to drill a hole than screw most steps in. Packs better. Very easy to pull bolts on the way down to keep your spot secret. Easy to slip back in on the next hunt.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using Tapatalk
 
Are you drilling at a slight angle. How deep a hole? I could use this on most the land I hunt, and it's probably just a quick and as safe as anything else!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using Tapatalk

If you use the EZ Kut drill or third drill bit with a cordless drill, it has a stop so it won't drill too deep. It ends up being right around 2.5".
Some guys drill at a slight angle. I don't. I find them more comfortable when horizontal. If you have some soft trees the bolts can stretch out the holes under your weight. In such cases drilling at a slight angle helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top