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Easiest climbing methods for old guys

I just finished 3 presets that I will rope walk up to my platform. For mobile the slack out system works for me at 62. I don't know how many years I have left on my hips too much running in my younger days.
 
sojourner said:
It would be beneficial to hear how you setup and breakdown your Stepps. And what has gone into your decision. I am 51 and use Stepps and sticks for climbing. Use sticks more. But am migrating more back towards Stepps.

I have used Stepps, no aiders, in the past. This was original Jim Stepp Stepps before the newfangled saddle craze. I would take 12 to get 18’. I really like how I can customize the placement of each Stepp for both the tree and my physical abilities. That said, the extra attachments to the tree is the cost (in terms of setup and breakdown)

But now, I use 4 muddy pro with CAYG aider and it is about the same weight. And I am really starting to intensely dislike anything aider related.

I use Stepps inline vertically and put my feet on a V on same step. I believe it is uncommon, but I have observed one instance where someone put them up staggered and used one foot on each Stepp. Not sure how good/bad that would be.

And Jim Stepp created them so he could deal with a war wound that affected his leg. I believe there is a great benefit to using Stepps for people of different abilities, not just tree ninjas (as we see here).

I think that the customizability of the Stepp setup is good for people with different physical abilities. It is not just for the knaider/swaider tree ninjas, but can be used by many people.

Anyway, I am rambling. Still would be good for the community to hear how you use the Stepps to keep you in the tree and hunting.

Good luck this season.
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sojourner said:
And Jim Stepp created them so he could deal with a war wound that affected his leg.
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You may know this, but the wound "affected" his leg so much it wasn't there no more. You can't hardly tell it from watching the videos, but he had a prosthetic leg.

Mad respect to the man for inventing a way to get him up in a tree.
 
I like my stepps because i can place them closer together. when its cold and dark and iam stiff from being in a tree for a while, i always know where my stepp is by being closer together. i dont wear my saddle when going to a tree. all i've got is hills and hollows to hunt. i carry everything iside my tenzing 4000 backpack. i put my kesterl in meat copartment 1st then my stepps on top. i've always left my ropes hanging outside of wildedge bag. i see no need to put them in bag. they won't tangle i'ts just not their nature. when i get to tree i take my bag of stepps out and put 4 stepps on, then i put my saddle on whitch takes about 20 seconds. tie my pull rope on backpack and longbow. put wildedge bag over shoulder, linesman rope around tree and up i go.
 
Nutterbuster said:
You may know this, but the wound "affected" his leg so much it wasn't there no more. You can't hardly tell it from watching the videos, but he had a prosthetic leg.

Mad respect to the man for inventing a way to get him up in a tree.
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I spoke to him a few times over the phone years ago. Real down to earth nice guy. Mad respect for serving our country in addition to his creation of the Stepps.
 
harold wright said:
I like my stepps because i can place them closer together. when its cold and dark and iam stiff from being in a tree for a while, i always know where my stepp is by being closer together. i dont wear my saddle when going to a tree. all i've got is hills and hollows to hunt. i carry everything iside my tenzing 4000 backpack. i put my kesterl in meat copartment 1st then my stepps on top. i've always left my ropes hanging outside of wildedge bag. i see no need to put them in bag. they won't tangle i'ts just not their nature. when i get to tree i take my bag of stepps out and put 4 stepps on, then i put my saddle on whitch takes about 20 seconds. tie my pull rope on backpack and longbow. put wildedge bag over shoulder, linesman rope around tree and up i go.
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Thanks. How about coming down? What is your process for that? Sometimes I get impatient and just drop them to the ground and gather them up and pack them when at ground level. Sometimes I try to manage putting them back in the bag.

I’ll probably take them out this weekend. 12 lbs (4 muddy pro and CAYG aider) or 12 Stepps placed at 18”, same height.
 
59 years old and use the LW hand climber most of the time....I use bolts or LW sticks when hunting in areas that don't have climber friendly trees but around here in central NC that doesn't happen often....
 
I'm 55 years old. Tried steps and did not like them. Tried Lone Wolf seat climber did not like that.

Hawk Helium sticks cut down have worked well for me.
 
cedar paul said:
I just finished 3 presets that I will rope walk up to my platform. For mobile the slack out system works for me at 62. I don't know how many years I have left on my hips too much running in my younger days.
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What happened to your pole and step method? It seemed like you had it down pat. My electrical conduit pushpole is working well. I shot a doe on Tuesday with it. And an xbow, of course. :grinning: I turned 62 on Friday. I just did some ropewalking today in my backyard in SRT and DRT with friction saver with rings. DRT is so much easier.
 
Obvious, but just wanted to mention that for any method the backyard is the best place to practice, get some repetitions, get used to it, and experience firsthand the pros and cons... not 5AM back in the woods :)
 
I still use my PVC push up stick (slack out system) for mobile and can easily get to a comfortable height with 4 steps. I am spoiled rope walking with the Rope runner, a knee ascender and a foot ascender easy peasy. I already had the gear for rec tree climbing.
 
Srt with a RADS system is ok for short ascents but I prefer rope walking or a single foot ascender but you do need a progress capture device(hybrid srt device). Again I like to be attached all the time and rappelling out at night is just so sweet.
 
cedar paul said:
Srt with a RADS system is ok for short ascents but I prefer rope walking or a single foot ascender but you do need a progress capture device(hybrid srt device). Again I like to be attached all the time and rappelling out at night is just so sweet.
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I have found I get more tired doing ropewalking. It makes sense since I can climb in half the time compared to RADS. I am doing the same amount of work (height) in less time so I am generating more power. It does give my left leg (weaker) some exercise with the knee ascender. I am using a foot ascender on my right foot and I am using a Hitchhiker2 for a friction hitch progress capture. The friction hitch seems to get tight at times and is difficult to release under tension. Friction hitches just seem so much more finnicky than a mechanical assisted braking descender. The tree climbing experts on the internet say the same. RADS just seems simpler when you have all the hunting stuff to manage. The less climbing gear the better. With RADS essentially all of my climbing gear is in this picture.
 
Finding the right diameter and hitch cord material that works with the particular rope is paramount. Also knowing a number of hitches is also helpful. Mechanicals have been growing on me for their effortless advance and reliable setback but need to be adjusted sometimes to work well with different diameter ropes.
 
bj139 said:
I am using a foot ascender on my right foot and I am using a Hitchhiker2 for a friction hitch progress capture. The friction hitch seems to get tight at times and is difficult to release under tension. Friction hitches just seem so much more finnicky than a mechanical assisted braking descender.
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If it's binding up, try lengthening it a bit at a time till it stops binding. If it continues binding may have to switch hitches, adjust how many wraps it has, or a larger diameter hitch cord that doesn't dig into the climb line as much.

I've considered getting the newer HHX but haven't pulled the trigger one on yet https://climbing-innovations.myshopify.com/products/hitch-hiker-x-without-swivaeye
 
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