I think I finally achieved set up zen. Review and safety check please.

[Jeff F.]

I shelved my saddle last year because I couldn’t get my system down but I think I just achieved zen today (with a little help from y’all).

I don’t like the fact that a linemen’s belt is not really a fall arrest system so I replaced it with a “mini tether”.

I am running a Kestrel saddle, a “mini tether” with a Ropeman 1 where the linemen’s belt used to go, a main tether in the original spot, and two muddy climbing sticks with an aider on the first stick.

I’m only trying to get about 13 feet up which I can do with just two sticks. The total weight is about 14 lbs which I could cut down if I changed sticks but I like the bulky steps for right now.

I hoping you guys can critique my set up or at least confirm everything is set up safely. One point that is questionable is I have a “soft on soft” connection on one side of the “mini bridge” (green strap).

Please see pics in the link below. Thanks!!

https://imgur.com/a/bsjS5HA

 

[Blacksmith]

Your soft on soft Girth Hitch is good, I cannot tell how your web bridge is made. Is it sewn?

 

[Smokingbarrel270]

You could be the very first person to have officially been rescued from the rabbit hole. With that being said, if it works for you dont worry what others think or do. Hunt with what you have.

Since you are asking I will say one thing... the linemans bely is typically only for climbing the tree. Once at hunting height it is typically removed and replaced with the tether. The tether becomes your fall restraint.

 

[mattsteg]

To nitpick a ropeman is Not fall arrest.. Not saying your setup isn't safe - just keep any slack to a minimum.

 

[Joe_Bow]

I have wondered about this option as well. From what I see, a webbing bridge attached to a significantly shorted tether acts as your lineman's belt as you climb. Then you put the main tether above you when you're at/arriving at final height. Is this correct?
If so, I dig it and would love to try it.

 

[mattsteg]

I have wondered about this option as well. From what I see, a webbing bridge attached to a significantly shorted tether acts as your lineman's belt as you climb. Then you put the main tether above you when you're at/arriving at final height. Is this correct?
If so, I dig it and would love to try it.

To nitpick - a short tether does not really act as a linemans belt. by attaching to the left and right edges of the saddle a lineman belt acts as a stabilizing work-positioning device. A tether on a bridge does not offer the same stabilizing effect and not using a lineman belt would significantly increase the chances that you lose your balance and footing. If you want something hitched around the tree, a better solution is a "tree squeeze" or to tether in before climbing and use a lineman's belt in addition. I don't see the short-bridge tether as enhancing safety on the climb, ans the lack of a true lineman's belt may compromise stability and thus safety.

 

[Jeff F.]

Your soft on soft Girth Hitch is good, I cannot tell how your web bridge is made. Is it sewn?

The web bridge is a sewn loop.

 

[Jeff F.]

You could be the very first person to have officially been rescued from the rabbit hole. With that being said, if it works for you dont worry what others think or do. Hunt with what you have.

Since you are asking I will say one thing... the linemans bely is typically only for climbing the tree. Once at hunting height it is typically removed and replaced with the tether. The tether becomes your fall restraint.

Thanks! Yeah I am with you on how the belt is used. I just didn't like the idea of not having fall arrest when climbing as that is when accidents usually happen. The "mini tether" kinda gives me the best of both worlds.....it will stop a fall and I can put weight on it and use both hands.

 

[Jeff F.]

I have wondered about this option as well. From what I see, a webbing bridge attached to a significantly shorted tether acts as your lineman's belt as you climb. Then you put the main tether above you when you're at/arriving at final height. Is this correct?
If so, I dig it and would love to try it.

correct...it's a short bridge and short tether. and yes main tether goes up when I'm at height.

 

[Jeff F.]

To nitpick - a short tether does not really act as a linemans belt. by attaching to the left and right edges of the saddle a lineman belt acts as a stabilizing work-positioning device. A tether on a bridge does not offer the same stabilizing effect and not using a lineman belt would significantly increase the chances that you lose your balance and footing. If you want something hitched around the tree, a better solution is a "tree squeeze" or to tether in before climbing and use a lineman's belt in addition. I don't see the short-bridge tether as enhancing safety on the climb, ans the lack of a true lineman's belt may compromise stability and thus safety.

Thanks for the feedback. I can see your point. So far this set up seems to keep me pretty stable. Wouldn't the idea that you can't fall with a tether but you can fall with a linemen's belt make it theoretically safer....regardless of stability?

What is the most simple tree squeeze set up? I see some online but they look pretty bulky.

 

[Jeff F.]

To nitpick a ropeman is Not fall arrest.. Not saying your setup isn't safe - just keep any slack to a minimum.

Thanks. This is exactly what I was looking for.

I really need the rope man while I climb so I can adjust hands free.

Even though it's not for fall arrest would it likely hold for a one or two foot drop?

Is there a way to mod in a back up? add a prussic before the rope man on the same line?

 

[mattsteg]

There has been a lot of discussion on the ropeman. It can cut the rope sheath as low as 3.5 kn. However...you should never plan to exceed that much of a fall anyway (keep the slack out!) Without a body harness. The failure mechanism (rope cutting) compromises the effectiveness of backups imo. A tended e.g. distel adjusts 1-handed as well as a ropeman by the way.

I think that it is better to maximize the chance that you don't fall, and minimize the risk if you do. If you've got 1-2 ft. Of slack in a tether you're more likely to get hurt than soneone properly utilizing a lineman's belt. I don't see a way to set your second stick while standing on the first one without introducing a hazardous amount of length into that tether. You're more likely to slip - especially if the stick shifts unexpectedly. And falling into your sticks would not be fun. They're hard and sharp.

Don't get me wrong - I don't think it's necessarily dangerous...but I do think it's more hazardous than using a lineman's belt in parallel with your main tether while climbing, or using a tree squeeze arrangement.

In particular, to hang your second stick without unhooking, you would need to lengthen your tether to stretch up above the hangpoint of that stick, and then balance on your first stick, work around your tether, and hang your second without any extra support to balance. No 3 points of contact possible. This is "dangerous". A traditional linemamns belt allows you to work safely positioned and not fall, and can easily and seamlessly add a tether to provide additional safety. Just my perspective.

 

[Spence71]

I’m a newb. And the photo/video didn’t play. So I haven’t seen what the others are pointing out, But what you’re looking for sounds more like a 1 stick climbing method.


Now then, get your equipment--your quiver and bow--and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.
Genesis 27:3

 

[Jeff F.]

There has been a lot of discussion on the ropeman. It can cut the rope sheath as low as 3.5 kn. However...you should never plan to exceed that much of a fall anyway (keep the slack out!) Without a body harness. The failure mechanism (rope cutting) compromises the effectiveness of backups imo. A tended e.g. distel adjusts 1-handed as well as a ropeman by the way.

I think that it is better to maximize the chance that you don't fall, and minimize the risk if you do. If you've got 1-2 ft. Of slack in a tether you're more likely to get hurt than soneone properly utilizing a lineman's belt. I don't see a way to set your second stick while standing on the first one without introducing a hazardous amount of length into that tether. You're more likely to slip - especially if the stick shifts unexpectedly. And falling into your sticks would not be fun. They're hard and sharp.

Don't get me wrong - I don't think it's necessarily dangerous...but I do think it's more hazardous than using a lineman's belt in parallel with your main tether while climbing, or using a tree squeeze arrangement.

In particular, to hang your second stick without unhooking, you would need to lengthen your tether to stretch up above the hangpoint of that stick, and then balance on your first stick, work around your tether, and hang your second without any extra support to balance. No 3 points of contact possible. This is "dangerous". A traditional linemamns belt allows you to work safely positioned and not fall, and can easily and seamlessly add a tether to provide additional safety. Just my perspective.

Is there a way to add a simple tree squeeze to my linemen’s belt?

Thanks for the input.

 

[mattsteg]

Is there a way to add a simple tree squeeze to my linemen’s belt?

Thanks for the input.

DIY Tree Squeeze/Choke.

Hi all, I've been watching some of the cool DIY projects on here and thought I would throw in one that I'm using, as a long time rock and ice climber, safety is always first and foremost in my methods of climbing trees. This is a simple way to protect oneself if and when you may gaff out of...

saddlehunter.com

This is all picking nits, and you're almost certainly safe either way...but the benefit of a lmb for work-positioning is substantial. And the safest fall is the one that doesn't happen.

 

[okccj]

You could be the very first person to have officially been rescued from the rabbit hole. With that being said, if it works for you dont worry what others think or do. Hunt with what you have.

Since you are asking I will say one thing... the linemans bely is typically only for climbing the tree. Once at hunting height it is typically removed and replaced with the tether. The tether becomes your fall restraint.

I've been keeping my linemans belt on through my entire hunt. I loosen it so it doesn't obstruct any movement, but also give me a bit more piece of mind than just running my tether. Plus, sometimes I tighten my linemans belt to pull me closer to the tree for certain positions/potential shots.

 

[Tony]