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Etrier / Aiders VS Rope Steps

d_rek

d_rek

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2014
Messages
2,495
Location
SELP Michigan
Looking to add a few extra feet of height to my freelance setups. Currently with 4 LW sticks I can get to about
21-24ft if I space my sticks generously. I was looking to add either a 3- or 4-step etrier to my bottom stick or get a couple of cranford rope steps to use on the bottom.

Anyone have a preference here? Let's hear some pros and cons of either setup.

Which brand etrier you're using, how many steps, alternating steps vs ladder-style, and how you're attaching to your sticks.

Any concerns/problems with guys using etriers with large rubber boots? Kind of concerned after watching a few videos.

Regards,
d_rek
 
I did etriers last year on my sticks. If your stick has a double step on the bottom it is much easier. I really liked it although this year I am going to try all etrier so I can rapell down when I am done.

I used these I believe. https://www.cmi-gear.com/products/etriers?variant=640306697

I had one stick with a 4 step and one with a 5 step. Mine were the alternating steps. I attached to my stick basically using the loop on the etrier. I fed it over my steps and I secured them with Paracord so they couldn't fall off my sticks while I was in the tree.

I wouldn't go so far as to say concerns with big rubber boots but it does take some practice. Getting your boot in the first one is by far the most challenging. After that, with straight downward pressure, the other steps come easier. I wore Lacrosse Alpha Burlys and I have a size 13 boot and I was able to manage really well.

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Last edited:
My biggest problem is coming down. Trying to get my boot in that first loop of the ertrier can be a challenge.

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I don't like the multiple aiders personally. I went to a single aider on each step, adding 2-3 cranford rope steps at the top if necessary. I feel this balanced out the safety, ease of set up and time of set up. That was my strap on mobile system all of last year and it worked very well.

This also enabled me to go down to 3 sticks total. I think more than 3 sticks in a mobile system starts to get cumbersome.
 
redsquirrel said:
I don't like the multiple aiders personally. I went to a single aider on each step, adding 2-3 cranford rope steps at the top if necessary. I feel this balanced out the safety, ease of set up and time of set up. That was my strap on mobile system all of last year and it worked very well.

This also enabled me to go down to 3 sticks total. I think more than 3 sticks in a mobile system starts to get cumbersome.
Click to expand...

What Etrier did you use? Or did you DIY one?

I am liking the idea of adding a few rope steps to my setup.


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d_rek said:
What Etrier did you use? Or did you DIY one?

I am liking the idea of adding a few rope steps to my setup.


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

Just DIY. It is just a single webbing loop attached to each stick.
 
One webbing loop per stick is good. One black diamond aider on the bottom only gets the first stick up as high as you can reach. Not worth it.

I personally find that all aiders is more stable than mixing them in. I don't like transitioning back and forth
 
I'd do single loops on your top three steps. And I'd do a two step etrier on the bottom. And I'd build them yourself. Buy webbing and youtube water knot. This way you can build the steps to match what you're comfortable with at 15' off the ground. I found the three or five step commercially available etriers are more about making sure you can rescue or perform a function at height. They end up being about 10" in practical height gain on each step and seem inefficient.

I take a scrap piece of 9mm static rope about 8" long, and used electrical tape to wrap it up around the webbing in the bottom of the loop. This stiffens it up well, and keeps it open. Going on three seasons, and I can still easily get a size 13 insulated rubber boot into the loop without much fuss.

Having two loops on your bottom stick allows you to get up above the base of the tree where it's much wider. Using rope steps at the bottom of the tree doesn't help accomplish this. I'd save them for the top of your setup.
 
I use 4 muddy sticks with two 5 step etriers on the 1st 2 sectionals. That gets me up 14' to 15'. Thinking about buying another 5 step etrier for 21' and leave one section at home unless needed.
 
Last question... what webbing did you use for your DIY aider? Looking at 3/4 or 1" nylon. Should I be looking at something different? Polyester or tubular?
 
d_rek said:
Last question... what webbing did you use for your DIY aider? Looking at 3/4 or 1" nylon. Should I be looking at something different? Polyester or tubular?
Click to expand...
Tubular. You can buy a big roll of climbing rated webbing and use it for all kinds of things. But then they are all safety rated.

I tie a loop using a water knot and make it hang down from the bottom of the stick the same distance apart as my regular stick steps.
 
1" is perfect; 2" is way overkill.
If a 1" strap made from climbing grade tubular nylon snaps without any signs of wear, holy cow man, you have no business being in a tree! (lol)

It has a very high tensile strength, rock climbers and search/rescue teams trust their lives with the stuff. Just be sure you have a decent length tag end(s) on your water knots. I check mine religiously even though they really don't move.
 
Scott F said:
1" is perfect; 2" is way overkill.
If a 1" strap made from climbing grade tubular nylon snaps without any signs of wear, holy cow man, you have no business being in a tree! (lol)

It has a very high tensile strength, rock climbers and search/rescue teams trust their lives with the stuff. Just be sure you have a decent length tag end(s) on your water knots. I check mine religiously even though they really don't move.
Click to expand...

Yeah i wasn't worried about breaking strength rather surface area for the step i.e.: if it's easier to climb using 1" or 2"


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