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First impression of climbing with LW Hand Climber

Plinker22 said:
Dang @bongo, you should set up a donation box for all the good advice you give out.
Now if the top piece of a LW hand climber wasn't so hard to find! :)
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They have them at LW but their $150. I just want the longer belt 61” and it’s $50. Well I’m gona get the belt but giving XOP a shot first. And Doc I owe a lot of free advice for all of it I’ve stolen from this site.
I think @Erniepower might be missing the boat here if he doesn’t research making one with a cable.

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@bongo, I think I asked this question wrong in another thread...
In the interest of weight and packability, would it make sense to remove the last row of skeletonized platform (the part under your heels in the picture. I don't think it would structurally change things, except you would have less to stand on. Then it would be lighter, and fit nicely in my pack.


I plan to use this as my primary climbing method/platform this year. The only downside of using this method that I can see is that during the climb, you get slack in your tether, which would magnify the impact force of any fall.
 
Sincyrman said:
@bongo, I think I asked this question wrong in another thread...
In the interest of weight and packability, would it make sense to remove the last row of skeletonized platform (the part under your heels in the picture. I don't think it would structurally change things, except you would have less to stand on. Then it would be lighter, and fit nicely in my pack.


I plan to use this as my primary climbing method/platform this year. The only downside of using this method that I can see is that during the climb, you get slack in your tether, which would magnify the impact force of any fall.
Click to expand...

Your right about slack line and fall. If that worries you much use a lineman’s belt while advancing the tether. I just don’t really want to carry one. But to go around branches and be tied off you need one. I’ll admit I could be safer than I am. I just like the fact that I’m tied to the tree.Never was before saddle hunting.
About the platform for the weight saving it’s not worth losing platform size IMO. The thing I like least about the platform is the raised edge on the inside second row of webs. But I’m sure it’s structural or I would grind it down. Have been thinking about grinding it down anyhow as I have a backup if it breaks. I just strap it to the outside of my pack works pretty good.
Like I’ve said before it’s the lightest least amount of components you can use and climb the tree and have something to stand on after you do.
But if it was perfect I wouldn’t have bought all the other means of climbing.


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@bongo,
Thanks for the response. We are 100% like minded, regarding this method. I just found the video of you climbing at saddlepalosa. I previously watched a vid of someone else climbing with this method, who was much slower. It made sense, so I bought a handclimber seat. First climb was slow and cumbersome. Started to question my decision. Second climb was FAST and easy. No looking back now. Just some fine tuning. Can't wait for mid Sept. here in NH.
 
Sincyrman said:
@bongo,
Thanks for the response. We are 100% like minded, regarding this method. I just found the video of you climbing at saddlepalosa. I previously watched a vid of someone else climbing with this method, who was much slower. It made sense, so I bought a handclimber seat. First climb was slow and cumbersome. Started to question my decision. Second climb was FAST and easy. No looking back now. Just some fine tuning. Can't wait for mid Sept. here in NH.
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@Sincyrman
Something I didn’t mention about cutting down the platform and should have. If you cut it your feet will be closer to the tree hence more chance of folding in the platform. Also you would be standing more on the inside ridge of the platform where it sticks up about 1/2” and that’s uncomfortable.


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bongo said:
@Sincyrman
Something I didn’t mention about cutting down the platform and should have. If you cut it your feet will be closer to the tree hence more chance of folding in the platform. Also you would be standing more on the inside ridge of the platform where it sticks up about 1/2” and that’s uncomfortable.


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Why not secure the pivot arms to the frame (zip ties, etc.) to minimize the likelihood of the climber collapsing in?
I'm really interested in this method since I already have a LW climber, and I like the idea of one item being a platform and a climbing device. Why buy two and lug two through the woods? The point of saddle hunting is to minimize weight/bulk, right? Then again, there are a lot of experienced guys on here who don't use this method so I must be missing an important drawback.

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TNSTAAFL said:
Why not secure the pivot arms to the frame (zip ties, etc.) to minimize the likelihood of the climber collapsing in?
I'm really interested in this method since I already have a LW climber, and I like the idea of one item being a platform and a climbing device. Why buy two and lug two through the woods? The point of saddle hunting is to minimize weight/bulk, right? Then again, there are a lot of experienced guys on here who don't use this method so I must be missing an important drawback.

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All good questions! I can’t answer for everyone else. But this system makes the most sense to me. Have not tried zip tying the arms but others have. My system works for me and I have tried to convince others it’s the best way if you have Climber friendly trees. That being said a lot of people disagree or like something else better. That’s why we don’t have just one color not everyone likes blue.
Another thing saddlehunting isn’t just lighter and less bulky it’s also safer being tied to the tree.


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Appreciate the insights. I've always been tied in with my harness and tether with all stands, but I sure am looking to shed weight wherever possible. I started with a Summit climber. Got sick of that weight & bulk so I ditched that for the LW climber a couple years ago. I thought I was going ultra light at 17 lbs! Now that is feeling heavy once all the extras are packed on. I stumbled on this forum and can't believe the light weight possibilities!

How about using a simple Summit strap around the tree and seat when at hunting height to prevent inside collapse? I have one of those from my old summit climber.

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TNSTAAFL said:
Appreciate the insights. I've always been tied in with my harness and tether with all stands, but I sure am looking to shed weight wherever possible. I started with a Summit climber. Got sick of that weight & bulk so I ditched that for the LW climber a couple years ago. I thought I was going ultra light at 17 lbs! Now that is feeling heavy once all the extras are packed on. I stumbled on this forum and can't believe the light weight possibilities!

How about using a simple Summit strap around the tree and seat when at hunting height to prevent inside collapse? I have one of those from my old summit climber.

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I have advised on the Summit strap but personally don’t find the need. I also used climbers for years and had an open shot and razor. But for me I want to be able to adjust the seat if the need arises. Buck comes from wrong direction. If your used to a climber your not going to step on the inside and even if you do your tied off and so is your platform. A lot of people find the need to be rock solid. Me not so much. But if you want to use the strap it will tighten it up. But the strap I used I put on the cable on the inside of the tree toward the seat and not around the tree. Just went around both cables on the inside and pulled it tight.


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when coupled with the correct tree & bark this method is as good as any...…….the ONLY thing IMO that can hinder my use and is a challenge in some instances is the bark & the belt on larger tree .....nothing is perfect & why I knew in the long run this should work well and does IMO...………...the platforms doesnt fold in or even begin to do so when stood on properly and of not zip ties aren't gonna cut it anyway IMO....Good Luck!!!!!!!:sunglasses:
 
REID2168 said:
when coupled with the correct tree & bark this method is as good as any...…….the ONLY thing IMO that can hinder my use and is a challenge in some instances is the bark & the belt on larger tree .....nothing is perfect & why I knew in the long run this should work well and does IMO...………...the platforms doesnt fold in or even begin to do so when stood on properly and of not zip ties aren't gonna cut it anyway IMO....Good Luck!!!!!!!:sunglasses:
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I’ve been talking about bark and belt sticking and would like to diy a cable platform that incorporates summit cable with a LW like attachment. I don’t have time as 2/3 of it is on a boat. But I’ve used enough Summit climbers with cable that I’m sure it would advance easier and be quieter. I’ve seen a couple of your posts and you could be the inventor. If you were so inclined.
If your interested PM me and I’ll give you some ideas I have.

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bongo said:
I’ve been talking about bark and belt sticking and would like to diy a cable platform that incorporates summit cable with a LW like attachment. I don’t have time as 2/3 of it is on a boat. But I’ve used enough Summit climbers with cable that I’m sure it would advance easier and be quieter. I’ve seen a couple of your posts and you could be the inventor. If you were so inclined.
If your interested PM me and I’ll give you some ideas I have.

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Do you have a picture of how you are attaching the foot straps to the platform?
 
bongo said:
I’ve been talking about bark and belt sticking and would like to diy a cable platform that incorporates summit cable with a LW like attachment. I don’t have time as 2/3 of it is on a boat. But I’ve used enough Summit climbers with cable that I’m sure it would advance easier and be quieter. I’ve seen a couple of your posts and you could be the inventor. If you were so inclined.
If your interested PM me and I’ll give you some ideas I have.

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Click to expand...


yeah I just unloaded my Summit Goliath & my Guidows Web two weeks ago in anticipation of my NEW saddle for this season...……...I also looked at the cables before I sent it out & pondered your exact thought but have yet to act...…I do know the Summit cables are $40.00 a pair as I looked at the time…..
BINESS!!!!!!!!:sunglasses:
 
I have the LW HC and it packs well and mine weighs a little over 3lbs. I also have a Summit Openshot and have used it as a platform. It climbs much better than the LW HC. Mine weighs a little over 5 lbs. I plan on removing the aluminum folding seat and replacing it with 3/8 plywood or maybe aluminum square tubing. I don't know what the finished weight will be. It doesn't pack as well as the LW and probably won't adjust to fit as small a tree as the LW but it may be worth it due to how it climbs. Any suggestions?
 
bongo said:
I’ve been talking about bark and belt sticking and would like to diy a cable platform that incorporates summit cable with a LW like attachment. I don’t have time as 2/3 of it is on a boat. But I’ve used enough Summit climbers with cable that I’m sure it would advance easier and be quieter. I’ve seen a couple of your posts and you could be the inventor. If you were so inclined.
If your interested PM me and I’ll give you some ideas I have.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro@REID2168
Click to expand...

Could you put a piece of tubing over the LW strap? That would save having to replace it but still give you something smooth to slide up the tree.Ought to catch less.
 
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