First time 1-sticking

[jphillips97]

So last Sunday I ordered an ultimate one stick from EWO thinking I would use it next year, but it got her so fast (<1 week) that I had to try it this morning... Good on Dan-O and the team at EWO

It is not love at first climb, but I think I will get there.... I love how easy it is to pack. The platform is really comfortable. Rappelling is great and pack up is fast.

The things I have to figure out.... First, I had never even done a practice climb before taking it in the woods. Second, it was rainy today so the trees were slippery. Third, the tree was leaning... I did not really set myself up for success..... I have to figure out how high to set it for each move... I got the ultimate lower step with a 2 step aider. Figuring out how and were to et the tether when climbing... I felt like it was a little more effort than it should have been, but I had never practiced...... I chose to climb with both the tether and a linesman belt.... After watching some videos, it just seems easier to safely advance the LB vs the tether.....

This will probably be my climbing method for next season and the last week of this season.... More updates to follow I am sure....

 

[MattMan81]

So last Sunday I ordered an ultimate one stick from EWO thinking I would use it next year, but it got her so fast (<1 week) that I had to try it this morning... Good on Dan-O and the team at EWO

It is not love at first climb, but I think I will get there.... I love how easy it is to pack. The platform is really comfortable. Rappelling is great and pack up is fast.

The things I have to figure out.... First, I had never even done a practice climb before taking it in the woods. Second, it was rainy today so the trees were slippery. Third, the tree was leaning... I did not really set myself up for success..... I have to figure out how high to set it for each move... I got the ultimate lower step with a 2 step aider. Figuring out how and were to et the tether when climbing... I felt like it was a little more effort than it should have been, but I had never practiced...... I chose to climb with both the tether and a linesman belt.... After watching some videos, it just seems easier to safely advance the LB vs the tether.....

This will probably be my climbing method for next season and the last week of this season.... More updates to follow I am sure....

The love hate relationship of 1 stick. Leaning tree and excessive branches can be a problem. IMO, the one stick really shines in the strait, no limbs, and not to big tree. Which is not what I normally like to hunt out of. So takes some extra time to get up them. Smooth and steady is fast. If you try to rush, it becomes noisy and cumber some.
But I would like to know how you reset the stick with out a tether above you holding your weight?

 

[drpike22]

When I first tried one stick I found a nice straight tree with no branches to practice on. I would make my initial move from the ground and mentally run thru what I had to do next. Always double check yourself as you go. I would then advance my tether and try to free the stick. If I could not grab the stick because I was too high, I would simply descend until I was able to reach it. It is easier to make height adjustments if you are using a Madrock safe guard or other mechanical device. I like a Gri Gri since I am more familiar with it. Friction hitches work but it might be hard to move the hitch when loaded with your weight. I also would suggest you either tie a blocking knot below your belay device on the rope or use a friction hitch or auto block and connect it to your saddle.. This is in case your primary connection fails. I have never been on a wet tree but I would think the procedure is the same, just make sure your tether rope is grabbing well. If you are using your rappel rope as your tether it gives you a way to get down in case you drop your stick or run into other problems. It takes practice. I am playing around with a 2 tether climbing system and I am experiencing the same thing you are. It is new and you have to figure things out and see what works for you. The people on this forum are great and provide a wealth of information. Whatever you do, take it slow and double check as you go along.

 

[jphillips97]

The love hate relationship of 1 stick. Leaning tree and excessive branches can be a problem. IMO, the one stick really shines in the strait, no limbs, and not to big tree. Which is not what I normally like to hunt out of. So takes some extra time to get up them. Smooth and steady is fast. If you try to rush, it becomes noisy and cumber some.
But I would like to know how you reset the stick with out a tether above you holding your weight?

I climb with tether and LB.

 

[Marmuzz]

Keep practicing. I don't like climbing wet trees. Straight, limbless trees with rough, dry bark are best. Of course you can climb anything but it will add more complication. I took me a good 3-5 climbs to feel at all proficient. My legs and core were so tired after the first few climbs until I realized where I was wasting energy and I could relax and just hang (let the rope do the work). It gets easier. Gets even easier after multiple climbs when you dial in your distances (tether placement, rope attachment method (device or friction hitch), stick height placement, etc.). Those small changes in inches make things way more efficient.

I strongly recommend moving your tether above you with each step up, to allow as little slack in your system as possible! This may feel super extra but again after a few practice climbs it feels like part of the ascent and honestly adds probably 20-30 secs to every stick placement, equaling minimal additional minutes to the whole tree climb for increased safety.

After a few seasons one-sticking, I can say that ironically—slower, shorter moves while double checking everything each placement actually results in a more relaxed, faster climb. As is often said 'round here, slow is smooth and smooth is fast. If you're relaxed, you tend to make better decisions and movements.

 

[Marmuzz]

I also climb with tether and LB. I move up the tether every single time I take a step; I try never to have it below my chest. I don't put the LB on until I am standing on top of the stick platform. I hug the tree with one arm, put on the LB (trading hands as I go around the tree), and cinch it down. When the LB has me tight to the tree, then I move tether up as far I can reach. This is the tether movement that takes the longest and has the most looseness in the tether choke. Yeah, it's only a few more seconds, but it gives me extra security knowing I'm pinched to the tree during that time with the LB, if anything were to go wrong. Part of that is because I'm using a quick link and rubber fender washer on my rappel line as my tether, and the heavy quick link likes to flop around and slide down (making the tether choke come undone and fall down the tree) until I snug up the rubber washer. Some of that risk is really eliminated if you're just using a normal tether to one-stick and the rope holds itself on the tree better. So, that might not be as much of a problem for you!

 

[jphillips97]

I also climb with tether and LB. I move up the tether every single time I take a step; I try never to have it below my chest. I don't put the LB on until I am standing on top of the stick platform. I hug the tree with one arm, put on the LB (trading hands as I go around the tree), and cinch it down. When the LB has me tight to the tree, then I move tether up as far I can reach. This is the tether movement that takes the longest and has the most looseness in the tether choke. Yeah, it's only a few more seconds, but it gives me extra security knowing I'm pinched to the tree during that time with the LB, if anything were to go wrong. Part of that is because I'm using a quick link and rubber fender washer on my rappel line as my tether, and the heavy quick link likes to flop around and slide down (making the tether choke come undone and fall down the tree) until I snug up the rubber washer. Some of that risk is really eliminated if you're just using a normal tether to one-stick and the rope holds itself on the tree better. So, that might not be as much of a problem for you!

I am using my rappel rope as my tether.... I use my LB like I normally would climbing; moving it up with each step. Once I am on the bottom step of the one stick, I advance my tether, climb to the top step and advance the tether again.... I do have a flexi-Ohm coming that I hope will make things easier...

 

[drpike22]

I am using my rappel rope as my tether.... I use my LB like I normally would climbing; moving it up with each step. Once I am on the bottom step of the one stick, I advance my tether, climb to the top step and advance the tether again.... I do have a flexi-Ohm coming that I hope will make things easier...

I do the same thing with my tether and LB. It might take a few seconds more, but it is extra security. Take your time and be safe.

 

[2Sloe]

Trust your rope and let the saddle do the work. You should be resting 90% of the time and only really exerting yourself when you climb your aider. Climb like you have all the time in the world so you can relax and not be straining all the time. Speed will come as you perfect your process. By session 5 you should be pretty comfortable with everything. Put a longer pull cord on your stick so you don’t have to give up ground to reach your stick. Great time to practice before it starts to warm up. You will be a pro by the time it does, so you won’t be sweating buckets trying to learn in the summer. Good Luck!

 

[Jimdude]

You’ve got great advice here already. I’ll just add that if you get to hunting hight and you don’t need a few minutes to open your coat and cool down… you know something we don’t know and you MUST SHARE IT! Early on I could feel that I was exerting a lot of energy while hanging and advancing the stick. That has gotten minimal but the climbing part is always getting me heated up. It’s not bad late season but early season is rough. It’s the major downside to the one stick method.

 

[Lazy_trucker]

I’ve never owned a saddle until recently. I also went with the EWO ultimate stick. Reading and watching videos is one thing. Getting onto a tree is another. I have plenty of trees in my backyard to practice on. I found one sticking wasn’t bad. And for being out of shape( then again round is a shape) I just took my time.

 

[jphillips97]

Second climb today... Much smoother.... Although I almost climbed before realizing I have left my quiver in the jeep.... I am not aggressive with my moves... 3 moves get my feet to about 13 ft..... Where I hunt that is high enough because of leaf canopy.... Any higher and you cannot shoot

 

[Iron_llama]

Always, always, always attach your pulldown rope before descending. Ask me how many times I've had to climb back up the tree instead of going home...

 

[Lazy_trucker]

Always, always, always attach your pulldown rope before descending. Ask me how many times I've had to climb back up the tree instead of going home...

lol the climb of shame. I almost did that the other day practicing.

 

[dorvaan]

lol the climb of shame. I almost did that the other day practicing.

I've heard the climb of shame referred to in one sticking. My question is this. Let's say you get to the bottom. Your rappel rope/tether is still attached up top, and you didn't attach your pulldown rope. Do you make the climb of shame using just your linemen's belt?

 

[Dsabhunt]

I've heard the climb of shame referred to in one sticking. My question is this. Let's say you get to the bottom. Your rappel rope/tether is still attached up top, and you didn't attach your pulldown rope. Do you make the climb of shame using just your linemen's belt?

You can use your tether and tend your hitch or mechanical up as you climb so your still tethered in or get a hand ascender to climb up the tether

 

[DOMMA]

I hope it works out for you TS. I purchased the entire set up and practiced climbing dozens of trees. I got proficient and felt comfortable, like anything else, it requires a consistent method. Repelling was the best part of the experience.

When I found 1 lb. climbing sticks I went back to sticks. 4 sticks, with a 2-step aider on the first step, gets me 20 feet. Easier, faster and more versatile for me. I sold my 1-stick set up for a considerable loss and moved on.

 

[dorvaan]

You can use your tether and tend your hitch or mechanical up as you climb so your still tethered in or get a hand ascender to climb up the tether

I'm very new to this. Any videos demonstrating what you're saying. I'd definitely want to have a backup on me in case I need it. I primarily hunt public land, so I don't want to leave my stuff out in the woods while I run home to get something I need.

 

[Iron_llama]

I've heard the climb of shame referred to in one sticking. My question is this. Let's say you get to the bottom. Your rappel rope/tether is still attached up top, and you didn't attach your pulldown rope. Do you make the climb of shame using just your linemen's belt?

If you have the equipment, you can SRT up the tree as if you had set your line with a pre-set. Check out the JRB videos with the Garda Hitch Footloop - shoutout @John RB Sometimes I'll do that, sometimes I'll climb on my 1-stick.

 

[Dsabhunt]

I'm very new to this. Any videos demonstrating what you're saying. I'd definitely want to have a backup on me in case I need it. I primarily hunt public land, so I don't want to leave my stuff out in the woods while I run home to get something I need.

Here is a hand ascender video