First impression of climbing with LW Hand Climber

[deerdhunter]

I found a summit open shot for 60 bucks at a pawn shop in excellent condition. Took the seat off and attached a thin piece of plywood. I was going to use the bungee but found it easier to climb using the bar on the corners.
It'll take some practice but definitely doable.

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Did your openshot originally have the flip up seat or was it an earlier version?

 

[paul landry]

No it had the cushion with straps

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[goat314]

Sorry to bring back an older post. But really trying to make this climbing method work. Last week I went out using my Summit Titan platform and saddle. Worked well, but the platform is so heavy. Today, was able to climb using Lone Wolf Hand Climber and shrink wrap around the belt and was feeling really good until the hinge collapsed and I couldn't recover. Will some zip ties work? something more extreme? would like very much to cut this weight down, but not at the cost of being worried I'll get stuck in a tree.

 

[FayetteKong]

I used heavy zip ties on mine and made new arms that use the summit cables instead of the lone wolf belts so far it’s working great and I don’t have to stop and adjust for the tree getting smaller the higher I go


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[bigjoe]

I used heavy zip ties on mine and made new arms that use the summit cables instead of the lone wolf belts so far it’s working great and I don’t have to stop and adjust for the tree getting smaller the higher I go


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Can you send us a pict of that


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[pesqimon]

I used heavy zip ties on mine and made new arms that use the summit cables instead of the lone wolf belts so far it’s working great and I don’t have to stop and adjust for the tree getting smaller the higher I go


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Would you remind me what it is about the summit cables that make it so you don have to adjust?


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[pesqimon]

Sorry to bring back an older post. But really trying to make this climbing method work. Last week I went out using my Summit Titan platform and saddle. Worked well, but the platform is so heavy. Today, was able to climb using Lone Wolf Hand Climber and shrink wrap around the belt and was feeling really good until the hinge collapsed and I couldn't recover. Will some zip ties work? something more extreme? would like very much to cut this weight down, but not at the cost of being worried I'll get stuck in a tree.

Did it collapse down because the tree got too narrow for where the belt was set?


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[sureshotscott]

Sorry to bring back an older post. But really trying to make this climbing method work. Last week I went out using my Summit Titan platform and saddle. Worked well, but the platform is so heavy. Today, was able to climb using Lone Wolf Hand Climber and shrink wrap around the belt and was feeling really good until the hinge collapsed and I couldn't recover. Will some zip ties work? something more extreme? would like very much to cut this weight down, but not at the cost of being worried I'll get stuck in a tree.

You couldn't recover? How'd you get out of that?

I use a heavy duty zip tie on each arm, leave them on, the thing packs around fine. Sooner or later you'll have to adjust mid-climb, very frustrating to not have those things secured during this process.

Also I carry an extra traction belt with me, just because.

 

[FayetteKong]

The summit cables don’t have any stretch in them so I can set it tight while it’s at the base to where the platform is angled up so when I climb to hunting height it levels out I can’t try to take some pictures while it’s on a tree at the base and at height later


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[FayetteKong]

And there is a thread of how I made my hand climber arms on here somewhere with pics and measurements


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[pesqimon]

It may be that the summit cables just don't get caught up as much (or at all) like the LW traction belt, but I think I like keeping the traction belt looser at the beginning, to make the climb easier and then adjust half way up.

What I found with the traction belt, is that if I try to get it right from the bottom, it becomes a struggle at the beginning and then it's more effort and your a sweaty mess at the top. So I make the climb easy all the way, with a quick adjustment on the way up.

 

[Cajunyankee]

Sorry to bring back an older post. But really trying to make this climbing method work. Last week I went out using my Summit Titan platform and saddle. Worked well, but the platform is so heavy. Today, was able to climb using Lone Wolf Hand Climber and shrink wrap around the belt and was feeling really good until the hinge collapsed and I couldn't recover. Will some zip ties work? something more extreme? would like very much to cut this weight down, but not at the cost of being worried I'll get stuck in a tree.

That same thing happened to me. I wrapped some rubber coated wire around the platform arms and the seat portion to lock the arm into position. I never had a problem after that.

 

[goat314]

You couldn't recover? How'd you get out of that?

I use a heavy duty zip tie on each arm, leave them on, the thing packs around fine. Sooner or later you'll have to adjust mid-climb, very frustrating to not have those things secured during this process.

Also I carry an extra traction belt with me, just because.

I was messing around just above ground level. Was trying to adjust it to get used to doing it, and it folded. Will try some zip ties. Gonna figure out how to get up a tree sooner or later.

 

[sad_story]

Of course, swapping the arms will invert the belt, probably no issue. Also, if keeping ridhe side up, could attach some kind of pad (rubber??)so it adds height to the platform so its equal w tge ridge

How about a para-cord cobra wrap as most people used to do as mod on the L/W climber base.

 

[George Clark]

I'll have to post a picture when I get mine out again. I just practiced mine for the first time last Sunday and it was easy as 1,2,3 once i figured it out. I put a strap on the tree above my head about 1ft, then put my hands with deer skin gloves in between the tree and the strap palms facing towards me. Then all I had to do was basically hold myself up and pull my feet up. Super fast up and down method I found.

I learned last week that I'm going to need some good gloves when the tree is wet. Got 25' up and my hands were soaked.

 

[George Clark]

And don’t forget to climb with your bow on your back. You already are standing on your platform while you climb. If Bambi comes by your ready. If it’s the rut he might come to you wanting to know who’s scratching his tree.

How many times have deer moved in while climbing up or down? With this hand climber, you're in "hunting mode" the entire time. Another solid advantage!

 

[rutjr]

I just read thru all 11 pages. I bought a Lone Wolf hand climber last night on E Bay. Can't wait to play with it.

 

[donnieballgame]

Man I'm glad folks are giving this a try it really is pretty slick, I need to try the summit cable mod but.....

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[rutjr]

Mine will be here this Thursday.



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[Bwhana]

This thread got me thinking about my favorite climber's foot piece to use instead of the LW hand climber. I talked to the owner of Austin stands about his aluminum foot piece for the Ultra-Lite Cadillac stand that only weighs less than 5 lbs (way lighter than my steel version) and he will sell it for $75 (not listed individually on his site, call if intrested). http://www.austintreestands.com/. It is very stable to climb with unlike the lw strap, but will not fold flat like the lw. Throwing it out there for thought as a possible alternative to the same method.

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