• 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

Close call

Glad you are OK, man i worry about you guys using this system! I've seen too many of these stories and I am afraid one is going to end bad! Stay Safe!
 
Indeed it's just a good reminder to conduct your own risk assessment as those of us that are getting ready for seasons to start and making our last minute preparations.

From the time I first saw this method I thought trouble. No doubt some folks among us with squirrel genes can rock it, but us landlubbers are asking for an accident. Better off chasing the ultralight fairy through other means and KISS with the climbing.
 
This is a good thread. It highlights what I think is an important safety discussion. As much as we all love to go light we have to remember that the climbing manufacturers never tested their stuff with all of the add on stuff that we use. It's not the saddle, nor the stick or the stepp. It's usually us. Stay safe my friends.
 
The last few years I have had so many close call with aiders and such I'm beginning to rethink if saving a few pounds is really worth it anymore. Carrying one extra stick isn't really such a big deal when you consider the alternatives. One bad slip and a climbing stick step caught in the stomach could rip you wide open even if your wearing a linesman belt. Think about that for a second.
 
Dewey said:
The last few years I have had so many close call with aiders and such I'm beginning to rethink if saving a few pounds is really worth it anymore. Carrying one extra stick isn't really such a big deal when you consider the alternatives. One bad slip and a climbing stick step caught in the stomach could rip you wide open even if your wearing a linesman belt. Think about that for a second.
Click to expand...
I take a mild blood thinner as result of a freak mini stroke I had 4 years ago (I’m 41), and ever since then I’ve been more apprehensive about the stick steps... a lot more careful. I don’t need big cuts, sure nobody does. I’ve even thought about using some moldable plastic to cap the sharp LW step ends, still considering that.
 
Maybe consider sacrificing some weight for peace of mind. Maybe add steps so you can get away with just the knaider.
 
neonomad said:
I take a mild blood thinner as result of a freak mini stroke I had 4 years ago (I’m 41), and ever since then I’ve been more apprehensive about the stick steps... a lot more careful. I don’t need big cuts, sure nobody does. I’ve even thought about using some moldable plastic to cap the sharp LW step ends, still considering that.
Click to expand...
Saturday my foot got caught in my aider and lost balance but caught myself. Unfortunately the cost was I gouged my hand on a Beast stick step. Those suckers are sharp so I’m thinking about wrapping them in a thin layer of vet tap. Should be much easier on the hands while climbing as well.
 
I learned last year that it doesn't take much for a fall to happen. I had an aider kick out on a WE step and before I knew it I had a step in a rib that may have been more than just a bruised rib. I have used sticks with an aider, even a multi step aider, and have never had a kick out. I used the WE steps 5 times before I had my first kick out.

I am in the same camp as most others, at this time, I am sticking with LWHC or my sticks with a CAYG aider. Sure, it's not as packable as steps, but i'm not losing much in the weight category, and I am gaining a lot with peace of mind and confidence in a system.

Thank you for sharing!
 
Something like this will definitely make you think about the chances we take every time we leave the ground. I really looked hard at the WE steps with aiders, but just don't think it's the best option for me. Even with a lot of practice, coming down in the dark after an all day sit with stiff muscles, a fatigued mind and add in adverse weather conditions rain, mud, snow and a slick tree it's a recipe for disaster. I think I'll stick with bolts on properties where I can and sticks where I can't.
 
Dewey said:
Saturday my foot got caught in my aider and lost balance but caught myself. Unfortunately the cost was I gouged my hand on a Beast stick step. Those suckers are sharp so I’m thinking about wrapping them in a thin layer of vet tap. Should be much easier on the hands while climbing as well.
Click to expand...
It’s a balance between solid footing, and gouge danger... gonna keep thinking on this one and in the mean time take it slow and deliberate.
 
I have 5 steps and the knaider swaider on order, but my concerns are the same. I’m not going to overdo myself though, even though I’ll have in plenty of time to practice for 2 months of deer season here in Indiana, I’ll be hunting with sticks this year. I’m going to take the next 12 months to practice practice practice. I figure I’ve hunted this long with bulkier and heavier items, so what’s one more season going to hurt.

My plan is to practice with the knaider swaider and 1 step for at least the first 3 months. Get the hang of it, figure out my lengths, figure out my spacing, etc. once I’m 100% confident in this, I’ll start climbing the additional 4. I’m going to do all this in my yard, most likely wearing a full body harness, with a lifeline coming down the tree. Once I get comfortable with all of this, my next 3 months will be filled practicing the same setup, but with my saddle on and using the lineman’s belt, figuring out how to make it safe and work for me. Then finally the last 3 months with just LB. If I’m going to switch up and get to my minimalist approach with these steps and knaider swaider, I will damn sure make sure I get it right and most importantly get it safe.
 
Glad you're ok!

Earlier this year I was trying the WE's with the knader/swaider and my foot slipped and I was hanging sideways from one WE step that held rock solid thank god! I remember thinking to myself how are you going to get out of this? I got out without injury but that was enough for me. I'll stick with my LWHC thank you.
 
Reading throught these posts, the most prevalent point I see is if your mass is above your solid attachment point that does not move there will be trouble. High wire walkers use this method since their mass is above the wire which is free to move. Squirrels do not use this method since they are always hanging from front claws or when upside down, rear claws. A system where your tether is attached to the tree above your mass is like the squirrel method. These are the only climbing methods which are inherently safe with no extraordinary skill required to maintain an upright posture. Since learning this, I only use RADS to climb or maybe one sticking. Both have a tether tied in above my mass. I am too old to kill myself now.
 
Last edited:
rutjr said:
Glad you're ok!

Earlier this year I was trying the WE's with the knader/swaider and my foot slipped and I was hanging sideways from one WE step that held rock solid thank god! I remember thinking to myself how are you going to get out of this? I got out without injury but that was enough for me. I'll stick with my LWHC thank you.
Click to expand...
I had the same thing happen except my WE Stepp slipped on the tree and kicked out sideways. Good thing my lineman belt caught me. That was the last time I used WE's and then sold them. I feel so much safer using climbing sticks without aiders.
 
One piece of advice regardless what method of climbing we all do is to make sure you have knife handy just in case you need to cut out of a situation.
I actually clip one knife to my upper body and put one in my pants pocket. I don't know if it would of help in this situation but I am glad to here you are ok.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top