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First time one sticking

devildog

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2014
Messages
322
Location
St Charles, MO
Over the last few months I have been buying all my gear for one sticking and finally got my ultimate one stick last week. I got a chance to climb for the first time today and it was way easier then I expected. I climbed three trees and by the third it was really easy. If you are thinking about one sticking go ahead and give it a try it is worth it plus rappelling down is so much fun. Here are a few things I learned already.

  1. Connect your safeguard and make sure to have enough rope to go around the tree on the ground before you start your climb. I put the rope around my neck for easy access once I climbed up.
  2. When pulling the stick off the tree going to the side of the stick and leaning over really causes painful hip pinch. Wrapping your legs around the tree and reaching straight underneath you is way more comfortable and it seemed like the stick came loose easier that way.
  3. I am very glad I got a 3-step aider. The last step was right there for every move without me having to raise my leg at all to put my foot in the step. I got 15 inch between steps and it was not a problem at all. Very natural and easier than my 24inch beast sticks.
  4. Make sure to put your tether up as high as possible every move. It allows you to create space easier when using the rope to hold the stick.
  5. The ultimate one stick is perfect for one sticking I am so glad I bought it.
  6. Personally I think I was quieter one sticking then setting my 4 beast sticks just because I didn't have to unpack sticks and hang them off my saddle climbing the tree.
  7. It was really nice to get up to a certain height and easily be able to go a little bit higher in order to get better shooting lanes. When using sticks and a platform I always felt once I set up I was stuck in that spot, and many times wishing I would of set up higher.
 
....
  1. It was really nice to get up to a certain height and easily be able to go a little bit higher in order to get better shooting lanes. When using sticks and a platform I always felt once I set up I was stuck in that spot, and many times wishing I would of set up higher.

Just because you're climbing with 3 or 4 sticks doesn't mean you can't one-stick up the tree with your top stick to get extra height.
 
Just because you're climbing with 3 or 4 sticks doesn't mean you can't one-stick up the tree with your top stick to get extra height.

True, but I wouldn't have also had rappelling gear on me to get down, and I really am not excited about one sticking down in dark. Plus using a ultimate one stick is way easier than trying to one stick with a versa strap.
 
Over the last few months I have been buying all my gear for one sticking and finally got my ultimate one stick last week. I got a chance to climb for the first time today and it was way easier then I expected. I climbed three trees and by the third it was really easy. If you are thinking about one sticking go ahead and give it a try it is worth it plus rappelling down is so much fun. Here are a few things I learned already.

  1. Connect your safeguard and make sure to have enough rope to go around the tree on the ground before you start your climb. I put the rope around my neck for easy access once I climbed up.
  2. When pulling the stick off the tree going to the side of the stick and leaning over really causes painful hip pinch. Wrapping your legs around the tree and reaching straight underneath you is way more comfortable and it seemed like the stick came loose easier that way.
  3. I am very glad I got a 3-step aider. The last step was right there for every move without me having to raise my leg at all to put my foot in the step. I got 15 inch between steps and it was not a problem at all. Very natural and easier than my 24inch beast sticks.
  4. Make sure to put your tether up as high as possible every move. It allows you to create space easier when using the rope to hold the stick.
  5. The ultimate one stick is perfect for one sticking I am so glad I bought it.
  6. Personally I think I was quieter one sticking then setting my 4 beast sticks just because I didn't have to unpack sticks and hang them off my saddle climbing the tree.
  7. It was really nice to get up to a certain height and easily be able to go a little bit higher in order to get better shooting lanes. When using sticks and a platform I always felt once I set up I was stuck in that spot, and many times wishing I would of set up higher.
What combination did you end up going with on your ultimate one stick, and how much does it weigh? I just got a phantom saddle this past weekend and it is so much nicer than my mantis that I am considering one sticking now. I hunted last season with 3 full length LW sticks and am ready to upgrade to a lighter more compact climbing method.
 
I got the 15" with a 3 step aider spaced at 15" also. I think it is 3lbs but have not weighed it. I know if feels lighter and easier to pack then my 4 beast sticks.
 
I thought I wanted to go with a set of One sticks until I demoed the One stick this weekend at the tethrd event. While I loved several things about them I am not sold on the amount of foot space they give you with the short distance from the tree. If they would make a couple of improvements on them and still keep the weight close to what it is now I would probably go that route, but now one sticking is sounding more appealing. I think I see an order from EWO in my future to get the stuff I need to build a one stick and rappel.
 
  1. I am very glad I got a 3-step aider. The last step was right there for every move without me having to raise my leg at all to put my foot in the step. I got 15 inch between steps and it was not a problem at all. Very natural and easier than my 24inch beast sticks.
How tall are you? I have a 3 step aider coming with my Ultimate one stick and I ordered it at 18" spacing. wonder if I shouldn't shrink that. Im 5"10
 
I got the 15" with a 3 step aider spaced at 15" also. I think it is 3lbs but have not weighed it. I know if feels lighter and easier to pack then my 4 beast sticks.
You guys are really making me think I should shrink my aider
 
Here’s a video from staggs in the wild about aiders. I’m 5’10” also and went 18” with the aider I just ordered from Dano. My cable aiders on my sticks are 18” also and I never had any issue.
 
Here’s a video from staggs in the wild about aiders. I’m 5’10” also and went 18” with the aider I just ordered from Dano. My cable aiders on my sticks are 18” also and I never had any issue.
I just contacted EWO and they suggested shorting it. I went with 16" that's probably a lot easier step for only a 6" lose over the 3 steps.
 
How tall are you? I have a 3 step aider coming with my Ultimate one stick and I ordered it at 18" spacing. wonder if I shouldn't shrink that. Im 5"10
Remember early season you can really step high vs bulkier clothing in the later season and depending on what aider you use it stretches some with your weight so at 18” you might be at 20” I personally like 15” spacing as I know mine stretches about 1” with my weight so it comes out to 16” With my weight. I use the same aider for early and late season
 
I just contacted EWO and they suggested shorting it. I went with 16" that's probably a lot easier step for only a 6" lose over the 3 steps.
Maybe you should call EWO and tell them to cancel the sewn aider and just order the ultimaider, then you can have whatever size you want, when you want it.
 
Shorter step spacing and more steps is more versatile than long step spacing and less steps. With some of my older aiders with longer step spacing in certain trees/situations I would find myself between steps or having to over extend. Most important ,even more than step spacing or length, is making sure ur steps stay open. If u have to fight to get ur foot in the loop u are setting yourself up for frustration and failure.
 
Over the last few months I have been buying all my gear for one sticking and finally got my ultimate one stick last week. I got a chance to climb for the first time today and it was way easier then I expected. I climbed three trees and by the third it was really easy. If you are thinking about one sticking go ahead and give it a try it is worth it plus rappelling down is so much fun. Here are a few things I learned already.

  1. Connect your safeguard and make sure to have enough rope to go around the tree on the ground before you start your climb. I put the rope around my neck for easy access once I climbed up.
  2. When pulling the stick off the tree going to the side of the stick and leaning over really causes painful hip pinch. Wrapping your legs around the tree and reaching straight underneath you is way more comfortable and it seemed like the stick came loose easier that way.
  3. I am very glad I got a 3-step aider. The last step was right there for every move without me having to raise my leg at all to put my foot in the step. I got 15 inch between steps and it was not a problem at all. Very natural and easier than my 24inch beast sticks.
  4. Make sure to put your tether up as high as possible every move. It allows you to create space easier when using the rope to hold the stick.
  5. The ultimate one stick is perfect for one sticking I am so glad I bought it.
  6. Personally I think I was quieter one sticking then setting my 4 beast sticks just because I didn't have to unpack sticks and hang them off my saddle climbing the tree.
  7. It was really nice to get up to a certain height and easily be able to go a little bit higher in order to get better shooting lanes. When using sticks and a platform I always felt once I set up I was stuck in that spot, and many times wishing I would of set up higher.

As far as moving the stick is concerned, I do a hybrid move. I don't completely get on the side of the tree (unless it's small enough in diameter) but more like 1/8 of the way around (if we imagine getting on the side as a 1/4 move around the tree). I then turn/bend down to hook the step with my foot to loosen the daisy chain/grab the step with my hand in one move. It helps that I've got monkey arms/legs to reach the stick and move it in one go. I was using a pre-Sh1kar fixed step Shikar stick with Amsteel daisy chain and aider last year. Now I've got an EWO One Stick

Just Monday I got the UP, One Stick rope as well as step and sewn in aider from EWO. I've got it all put together but simply haven't had time to climb with it yet.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
 
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