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Increasing efficiency for 1 stick climbing

firehunter said:
I could be wrong but I am pretty sure I saw somewhere that is was not advised to climb with the muddy sticks without a half hitch after it goes through the cam. I saw one video where when he stepped on the stick it slipped and he said the instructions said the knot is required or they will slip.
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Yep. Do what you are comfortable with. I have never had an issue but that's not to say that I never will. It's just risk I am willing to accept. Be safe out there.
 
firehunter said:
I could be wrong but I am pretty sure I saw somewhere that is was not advised to climb with the muddy sticks without a half hitch after it goes through the cam. I saw one video where when he stepped on the stick it slipped and he said the instructions said the knot is required or they will slip.
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Not saying a rope slip in the cam couldn't happen but I've never experienced one in easily over 100 climbs with my cam cleat. I did knock the stick off the tree once during a climb. It happened as I put my foot into my aider so my weight was fully on my saddle and there was no slip or fall involved. Either I didn't have the rope fully engaged into the cam or (more likely) I stepped on the tag end of the rope and pulled it out as I set my foot in the aider. Either way, I ended up rappelling back down the tree to retrieve my stick to continue my climb.

Edit: Actually, as I think about it, once the stick is weighted I can't even pull the rope out of the cleat until I lift the stick up to take the tension off the rope, that's how tight they clamp.
 
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boyne bowhunter said:
Not saying a rope slip in the cam couldn't happen but I've never experienced one in easily over 100 climbs with my cam cleat. I did knock the stick off the tree once during a climb. It happened as I put my foot into my aider so my weight was fully on my saddle and there was no slip or fall involved. Either I didn't have the rope fully engaged into the cam or (more likely) I stepped on the tag end of the rope and pulled it out as I set my foot in the aider. Either way, I ended up rappelling back down the tree to retrieve my stick to continue my climb.

Edit: Actually, as I think about it, once the stick is weighted I can't even pull the rope out of the cleat until I lift the stick up to take the tension off the rope, that's how tight they clamp.
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Far fewer climbs under my belt, but same thing, never had rope pull out of cleat, and I never put a knot in. Not saying it can't happen. Just hasn't.

I did drop the stick during one practice, and since I don't rappel I was in a bit of a pickel. I used my ring of steps to work my way down, same as 1-sticking. Set the ROS, move tether down, sit in saddle, move ROS down, etc.

Bought a grappling hook after that experience!
 
TNSTAAFL said:
Far fewer climbs under my belt, but same thing, never had rope pull out of cleat, and I never put a knot in. Not saying it can't happen. Just hasn't.

I did drop the stick during one practice, and since I don't rappel I was in a bit of a pickel. I used my ring of steps to work my way down, same as 1-sticking. Set the ROS, move tether down, sit in saddle, move ROS down, etc.

Bought a grappling hook after that experience!
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I always carry one too. In that instance though it was just easier to rappel.
 
The video with the cam slip...the guy just got the sticks. There has to be either something wrong with them or it was user error. Regardless I would send them back ASAP.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mack3773 said:
So I started with the SRT method as I am used to the RAD System that we use in rescue. I recently switched to one sticking it and love it. I do how ever still use one of my 30' ropes with my Gri-Gri for my climb and daisy chain it when at height after switching over to my tether. When its time to come down I just switch back over and take my stick off and rappel down. It works pretty good for me and no fumbling around in the dark when coming down. loved the video and its a great source of info!!!
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I miss rappelling after a evening hunt. I just never could retrieve my rope reliably enough to continue.
 
A stick is easily picked up with a gear grappler attached to a Doyle’s hoist
I have even climbed leaving sticks on the ground to be picked up as I climb

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
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Murph4028 said:
Climb down with my platform if I have to. But Im always careful and ensure I have a good grip on the stick when handling it. I used to carry a Cranford rope step in my pack just in case
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Gotcha. Platform makes sense hadn't considered that.
 
Murph4028 said:
In this video I review 1 stick climbing techniques and how a muddy pro can enable you to do it better. Any stick with a rope cam installed will give you the same results. If you want to save energy, ditch the cam buckle.



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Just a question: I saw your previous video on the handclimber method. When do you use 1 stick vs. handclimber?
 
dlist777 said:
Just a question: I saw your previous video on the handclimber method. When do you use 1 stick vs. handclimber?
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It all depends on the surrounding environment in the location I am hunting that day. If I have to get into a real tight spot and need to be more compact, I will take either my wild edge steps or my muddy pro. My load out with those climbing methods and the pack I use is a little more compact. If I know the tree I'm going to is pretty big I'll also take those instead of the LWHC. However, if I am trying to save weight or I know time will be a factor for whatever reason I prefer the convenience and dual purpose of the hand climber. And honestly sometimes I like to use the hand climber because it's a very comfortable sit in most circumstances.
 
So there is really only one person that had a problem with Muddy Pro sticks slipping? Be careful anyways all you Muddy users.
 
Wirrex said:
I miss rappelling after a evening hunt. I just never could retrieve my rope reliably enough to continue.
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I'm not familiar with rappelling at all and have a very basic/dumb question about rappelling down after a one-stick climb. So you just haul a rope up with you, then attach it to the tree at saddle height and use it to rappel back down instead of climbing down? Sounds good, and a lot faster/easier. My question is how do you get the rope down once you are on the ground? Please forgive my ignorance... :relaxed:
 
like.2.fly said:
I'm not familiar with rappelling at all and have a very basic/dumb question about rappelling down after a one-stick climb. So you just haul a rope up with you, then attach it to the tree at saddle height and use it to rappel back down instead of climbing down? Sounds good, and a lot faster/easier. My question is how do you get the rope down once you are on the ground? Please forgive my ignorance... :relaxed:
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You hook a line with a carabiner on the girth hitch before you rappel down. When you get to the ground you pull on the line and pull your rope down. The line can be 550 cord or whatever won't break on you.
 
Murph4028 said:
You hook a line with a carabiner on the girth hitch before you rappel down. When you get to the ground you pull on the line and pull your rope down. The line can be 550 cord or whatever won't break on you.
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Definitely what he said!!! I just use 550 cord with a non locking biner to pull it down. It works everytime.
 
like.2.fly said:
I'm not familiar with rappelling at all and have a very basic/dumb question about rappelling down after a one-stick climb. So you just haul a rope up with you, then attach it to the tree at saddle height and use it to rappel back down instead of climbing down? Sounds good, and a lot faster/easier. My question is how do you get the rope down once you are on the ground? Please forgive my ignorance... :relaxed:
Click to expand...

While others are using the SRT method to rappel down, I will use the DRT method and the SWABISH hitch to do the rappelling. That way I can just pull on the end of my rope and it comes right out.
 
like.2.fly said:
I'm not familiar with rappelling at all and have a very basic/dumb question about rappelling down after a one-stick climb. So you just haul a rope up with you, then attach it to the tree at saddle height and use it to rappel back down instead of climbing down? Sounds good, and a lot faster/easier. My question is how do you get the rope down once you are on the ground? Please forgive my ignorance... :relaxed:
Click to expand...
If you forget to attach the retrieval line a bunch of rope flicks can sometimes get it to slide right down the tree or you can climb back up and do it right.:)
 
Newhunter1 said:
While others are using the SRT method to rappel down, I will use the DRT method and the SWABISH hitch to do the rappelling. That way I can just pull on the end of my rope and it comes right out.
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But you need double the rope for double the weight.
 
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