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climbing time

B

bowdog601

New Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2021
Messages
1
What is an actual climb time for one stick from bottom of tree to hunting ready at 20'?
 
It’s so variable that I don’t even know if it’s really worth discussing. If you climb to exactly 20’ on trees of the exact same diameter with the exact same amount of limbs every hunt then I think that says more about your tactics than it does your climbing setup.

Over the course of a season I’m liable to hunt anywhere from 3 to 33 feet. Some climbs take no time because I’m using limbs as steps the whole way. Some climbs take a while because the tree is so huge I can barely reach around it, or there’s a mess of limbs and vines I have to pick my way through.
 
This is a climb under ideal circumstances. Normal hunting conditions, looking around and being aware as I climb, its more like 2x this. Once I get to height add 30 seconds to a minute to set the platform, another 30 seconds to hang the pack, another minute to pull up the bow and get it ready to shoot. Then I typically take another minute to put on my upper layers. Base of the tree to hunt ready . . . Easily under 15 minutes.

How Long to One Stick Climb to 20'?

I thought I'd post a video demonstrating how simple, quick and quiet single stick climbing can be. I also included a timed look at my descent process and how long it takes to pack up and head out. Also, remember, I'm a self-described OFG (old fat guy) :), if I can do it anyone can. I hope...
saddlehunter.com
 
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It's pretty variable for sure. For me, it's probably closer to 30 minutes between arrival at the tree and hunting at 20'. I feel like the less time on the ground the better, so I tend to approach the tree with stick in hand and get to the top of my first rep (~7ft) ASAP. But, then I'm pretty slow and deliberate...maybe even overly cautious when it comes to noise. Plus, I typically self-film, so that adds a little setup time...
 
From walking up to the tree to being fully setup at 20 plus, bow In Hanger everything, 15 to 30 min depending on the tree
 
Like others have said, too many variables involved to give you the answer you're looking for.

One stick a telephone pole straight limbless tree in early season not concerned about slack in tether, using a stick top platform with just a bow to pull up and you're an experienced climber? Probably a couple of minutes.
Climb a leaner with a few limbs to navigate around while staying connected to tree at all times and mindful of keeping slack to a minimum, setting up a platform or ros, placing your pack, pulling up your bow and then putting on extra layers of clothing because it's 20 degrees all the while maintaining stealth and silence? You're looking at up to 30 minutes or more.
 
Buckhole75 said:
I wanna give one sticking a go but if it takes me a half an hour I'm Out!
Click to expand...
Try it. But give it a chance. I’ve had climbs in the beginning that were an excruciating 45 minutes, but usually I’m up ez less than 20 minutes with an arrow nocked. I still have a rough climb now and then but I’m still a long way from being really good at it.
 
Buckhole75 said:
I wanna give one sticking a go but if it takes me a half an hour I'm Out!
Click to expand...
Give it a try, you will cut your wait In half and it's really not any different timewise than other methods minus packing in 4 plus sticks, timeframe mostly depends on the climber and the tree, both of which are going to be factors on any tree
 
My ol man always used the same line when someone was on his ass while driving “ if they were in a hurry, they should have left sooner.” That same line applies here, every time I see this topic come up, I think of him. If I’m hunting a new spot, unsure of trees, sign, cover ect. I leave for the woods early. If the “right tree” takes me an hour to climb to the “right height” for the best amount of back cover, then fine so be it. Sometimes the right tree is a straight tree with no limbs with plenty of back cover from surrounding trees and I just happen to have an extra 50 minutes of hunting! Either way, hunting shouldn’t be about speed, hunt YOUR hunt, climb YOUR climb, shoot to fill YOUR tag.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Not to start a debate but 2 tether climbing with a normal linesman rope as a foot tether and rappel rope as main tether really is faster than one stick and less exhausting and even less to carry, just have yr ROS or platform on yr back. Never more than 10 mins, and that's with a couple branches to pass too. With a saddlehunter's hitch to keep slack out of your top tether and an extra friction hitch on your foot tether to clip into while passing branches, it really is so smooth and convenient....apart from a preset for SRT/JRB, which can then be done next time if you leave a preset.
 
Yeah....not an argument.just wondering.what the stick is for.ive never owned any.and when watching videos it looks like it's just extra to fittle with.if you only step on the bottom run of a stick you don't need the top step of the stick.so why swing sideways reach down and unhook something erellivent then reatach it .I slap up single steps faster with far less movement and less sweat.and if it's about weight .2 teather is not just lighter but packs small and quiet .I understand that a lot of guys transition from treestand hunting and sticks where standard and not just for presets.
 
cmcclain88 said:
My ol man always used the same line when someone was on his ass while driving “ if they were in a hurry, they should have left sooner.” That same line applies here, every time I see this topic come up, I think of him. If I’m hunting a new spot, unsure of trees, sign, cover ect. I leave for the woods early. If the “right tree” takes me an hour to climb to the “right height” for the best amount of back cover, then fine so be it. Sometimes the right tree is a straight tree with no limbs with plenty of back cover from surrounding trees and I just happen to have an extra 50 minutes of hunting! Either way, hunting shouldn’t be about speed, hunt YOUR hunt, climb YOUR climb, shoot to fill YOUR tag.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

if you are climbing during daylight and during the rut, then there is an increased risk of a buck you'd shoot seeing you climb and then leaving and not coming back for a good while

if you are focused on climbing, there's a good chance you won't see the buck when this happens (and so not even know this occurred), as mature bucks are much less likely to blow and flag their tails...they just slink off

cutting your climb time in half, cuts the probability of that happening in half
 
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