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DIY single stick climbing

Redoak47*

Redoak47*

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2018
Messages
368
On average how long are you making your stick for 1 sticking? I layed out 15 inches left 5/8 on each end and my step spacing was 12 inches.
 
Why are the majority of the one sticks so short? Still a newbie and looking to find out what the benefit to a shorter stick is.


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Slingin eastons said:
Why are the majority of the one sticks so short? Still a newbie and looking to find out what the benefit to a shorter stick is.


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I don't 1 stick, but most people attach aiders to them, so that lengthens them.
 
Slingin eastons said:
Why are the majority of the one sticks so short? Still a newbie and looking to find out what the benefit to a shorter stick is.


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For me a shorter stick offers more maneuverability while climbing and the distance you lose always can be offset with an aider. It also packs better which is always a plus.
 
I appreciate the help fellas! Looking at the setup on EWO and with the rappel kits it’s like 450$ big investment for not knowing if I’ll be comfortable with it


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Slingin eastons said:
I appreciate the help fellas! Looking at the setup on EWO and with the rappel kits it’s like 450$ big investment for not knowing if I’ll be comfortable with it


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it's super easy and cheap to diy a one stick setup. I cut down a hawk helium and made a 3 step amsteel aider and amsteel rope mod. the whole thing including a Harken cam cleat was just over $100
Add a 40 ft rope and descender for another $100
You can spend more, but you don't need to
 
I'm building a 17" one stick this evening an was wondering how far down from the top step you all are attaching your cam cleat?
 
Nugget said:
I'm building a 17" one stick this evening an was wondering how far down from the top step you all are attaching your cam cleat?
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I've built a couple different sticks to play around with. I started with the API sticks from Bass Pro, and the button on one of those before any mods is exactly 1/3rd the way down from the top of the stick if I recall. I've used that formula for the others I've built and had no issues.
 
Nugget said:
I'm building a 17" one stick this evening an was wondering how far down from the top step you all are attaching your cam cleat?
Click to expand...
I made a 18 inch stick, from top of step to top of cam cleat is 4.25 inches
 
JMHO, with aiders, the length of a stick can go in the extreme short range. My current is a cut down Hawk Helium to 10 inches with 3 steps aider. I dont even have the top steps, just a bottom. Alot of people said top step dont add much height due to the method that you are still trying to reach DOWN to unattach the stick from the tree so you can't go too high either way. I found that I agree with this opinion because if I step on the top step, once I set my tether I have to reach farther down either way to unlock the straps, and it only got me an extra 8-10 inches each maneuver.

But other have found success by attaching some gear ties at top to pull up, or pull away the rope from the cam cleats. Just alot of option out there!
 
I don't use my top step for standing either. I do use it to lock my leg while moving my tether up the tree. If you have a stick with spacious standoffs you can put the step behind your knee or calf to help with stability. Or you can just use your linesman belt.
 
Slingin eastons said:
Why are the majority of the one sticks so short? Still a newbie and looking to find out what the benefit to a shorter stick is.


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I first tried one sticking with a full length lone wolf stick. I found the tether line would bind on the top step and I was worried about fraying. I changed to a 20" stick and it worked great all season.

Regarding cost - you can start on the cheap without the ultimate one stick and descender. Make a cheap CAYG aider, and use a figure 8 + autoblock. I used a figure 8 all season and don't plan to switch. Then the only real expense is the rope & it's easy to sell if it's not for you.

I wish I was a headlight on a north-bound train
 
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Slingin eastons said:
I appreciate the help fellas! Looking at the setup on EWO and with the rappel kits it’s like 450$ big investment for not knowing if I’ll be comfortable with it


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And you don’t like it, come hunting season, when EWO is all backed up, you will be able to sell it here in a hot minute....
 
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