Increasing efficiency for 1 stick climbing

[bowhuntr09]

Please post a picture of your hawk stick with the cam cleat.

Pretty sure there is a pic in this thread:

A typical hunt set up for me this year. (Single Stick Climb Video)

I thought I'd put together a video of the single stick climbing method, tree setup and descent I used this year. I have some more detailed videos I'm still processing and will upload later. I hope you enjoy. Edit: Added a couple of links to more detailed videos with descriptions of the methods.

saddlehunter.com

 

[Newhunter1]

But you need double the rope for double the weight.

My 75' of sampson predator rope weighs in at 4.2 lbs. I also have 45' of 11mm static line that weighs almost as much as the predator rope. My rope sits in the bottom of my pack and does not come out till I'm ready to come down if I did the one stick method. If I took my 4 cut down leverage sticks then the rope stays at home and I just climb down the tree. Or I used bolts to get up the tree...its dark then I'll use the rope. Just depends on what I used to get up the tree.

 

[bj139]

My 75' of sampson predator rope weighs in at 4.2 lbs. I also have 45' of 11mm static line that weighs almost as much as the predator rope. My rope sits in the bottom of my pack and does not come out till I'm ready to come down if I did the one stick method. If I took my 4 cut down leverage sticks then the rope stays at home and I just climb down the tree. Or I used bolts to get up the tree...its dark then I'll use the rope. Just depends on what I used to get up the tree.

My 37 feet of Beal 8mm rope weighs 15 ounces. I just used it today at 25 feet in the local state park hunting area.
I did a RADS climb on the rope.

 

[bj139]

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.

I was climbing today and tried to remove my tether from 25 feet up. 5 minutes of flicking the rope did not work so I climbed back up and attached a caribiner with paracord.

 

[Murph4028]

I was climbing today and tried to remove my tether from 25 feet up. 5 minutes of flicking the rope did not work so I climbed back up and attached a caribiner.

A new thread should probably be started for this but since we're here, sometimes you have to pull the line tight and walk around the tree towards your figure 8 knot on your girth hitch to get it started. Once it starts moving it's usually pretty easy to break loose

 

[bj139]

A new thread should probably be started for this but since we're here, sometimes you have to pull the line tight and walk around the tree towards your figure 8 knot on your girth hitch to get it started. Once it starts moving it's usually pretty easy to break loose

I tried that and it did not work. Some bark is too hooky.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

Please post a picture of your hawk stick with the cam cleat.

Sorry @beenhunting, been a busy day. I went out and took a picture of my stick today since I've made a couple of changes. First change is the aider. I have changed to a 24" @SloMo style tubular aider with the zip tie inserted to hold it open. Its much smaller, packs better and works just as well. The second change is the small 12 gage wire wrapped around the stick between the cleats and twist wrapped in the back. This keeps the cleats from clacking together when the rope is pulled out. It really quieted down the cleat. Since the rope is 8mm the wire doesn't interfere with the cleats ability to grab it.

 

[Murph4028]

Sorry @beenhunting, been a busy day. I went out and took a picture of my stick today since I've made a couple of changes. First change is the aider. I have changed to a 24" @SloMo style tubular aider with the zip tie inserted to hold it open. Its much smaller, packs better and works just as well. The second change is the small 12 gage wire wrapped around the stick between the cleats and twist wrapped in the back. This keeps the cleats from clacking together when the rope is pulled out. It really quieted down the cleat. Since the rope is 8mm the wire doesn't interfere with the cleats ability to grab it.

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View attachment 15802

Good idea.

 

[beenhunting]

Sorry @beenhunting, been a busy day. I went out and took a picture of my stick today since I've made a couple of changes. First change is the aider. I have changed to a 24" @SloMo style tubular aider with the zip tie inserted to hold it open. Its much smaller, packs better and works just as well. The second change is the small 12 gage wire wrapped around the stick between the cleats and twist wrapped in the back. This keeps the cleats from clacking together when the rope is pulled out. It really quieted down the cleat. Since the rope is 8mm the wire doesn't interfere with the cleats ability to grab it.

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Thanks for posting the pictures. I just ordered some helium sticks and will be adding the same cam cleat and cutting them down to two steps. I'm currently only planning to add the cam cleat to one of the three sticks to use for one sticking.

 

[Aeds151]

Do you all think the large version of this cam cleat will mount to a helium without a problem like the harken 150 or ronstan medium? I would like the extra MWL. Also, im looking to get 8mm rope. Do I want static or dynamic for the climbing stick? I found some fair priced 8mm kernmantle by the foot.


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[Turk]

I installed a Harken Cam-Matic 150 on my modified helium. I purchased mine through West Marine but I have seen them less expensive on other sites since. For rope I used 8mm Samson accessory cord from Wesspur.

Quick question...I just ordered my Harken Cam-Matic 150...for my Helium climbing stick...was wondering how are they attached...bolt size/length./lock nut and does it need to be a grade level bolt? Going to try one sticking soon..first season Saddlehunting....Thanks
TURK

 

[bj139]

Do you all think the large version of this cam cleat will mount to a helium without a problem like the harken 150 or ronstan medium? I would like the extra MWL. Also, im looking to get 8mm rope. Do I want static or dynamic for the climbing stick? I found some fair priced 8mm kernmantle by the foot.


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You want static. Dynamic will stretch and the stick will droop too much.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

It should mount fine because your mounting bolts are centered no matter what size you use.


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[dalton916]

I still prefer daisy chain and a versa button. Clip the tag end of the daisy chain to any of the carabiners on saddle and there’s no such thing as dropping a stick.

 

[emrah.oruc.7]

Knaiders are very stable and easy to use. Swaiders can get a little shaky especially on the way down. If your really stretching on the way up, the way down will be difficult. Another reason why I prefer the simplicity of a foot loop. If you are using a permanently attached foot loop you also have less equipment to keep track of. Another option is to use a slightly longer foot loop with a knaider. Whatever works for you.

Well I tried the one-stick deal and I’m loving it. So much so I bought a cam buckle/strap from a guy on the SH FB group. I have daisy chain on my Hawk Heliums but moving 7/64” daisy chain constantly up a oak tree is not easy (grips too well!) and rough on the fingers. I like your cam buckle idea for quick adjustment.

I had tried this sort of climbing before but I was getting a major wedgie from my Mantis while I was hanging (rope pulling straight up). I switched to the Tactisaddle and no more wedgie and I don’t feel like I’m going to shoot out the bottom. Loving this method!

Emrah


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[Ontariofarmer]

Do you all think the large version of this cam cleat will mount to a helium without a problem like the harken 150 or ronstan medium? I would like the extra MWL. Also, im looking to get 8mm rope. Do I want static or dynamic for the climbing stick? I found some fair priced 8mm kernmantle by the foot.


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It should mount fine because you mounting screws are centered no matter what size you use.


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[Aeds151]

I still prefer daisy chain and a versa button. Clip the tag end of the daisy chain to any of the carabiners on saddle and there’s no such thing as dropping a stick.

What daisy chain do you use? Doesnt seem like it would be enough distance from you and the stick to climb.


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[Squirrels]

Well I tried the one-stick deal and I’m loving it. So much so I bought a cam buckle/strap from a guy on the SH FB group. I have daisy chain on my Hawk Heliums but moving 7/64” daisy chain constantly up a oak tree is not easy (grips too well!) and rough on the fingers. I like your cam buckle idea for quick adjustment.

I had tried this sort of climbing before but I was getting a major wedgie from my Mantis while I was hanging (rope pulling straight up). I switched to the Tactisaddle and no more wedgie and I don’t feel like I’m going to shoot out the bottom. Loving this method!

Emrah


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I did my first two test climbs with my mini stick and 2 step aider yesterday and I really like the one sticking and rappel down system I’ve got going.

 

[alwayshuntin]

Does 1 sticking up and rappeling down work with trees that have limbs?

 

[dalton916]

What daisy chain do you use? Doesnt seem like it would be enough distance from you and the stick to climb.


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The stuff from Dutchware and @DanO the ManO.

I’ve never even felt the strap get snug, much less tight.