I just got my saddle this past week, so I am 100% new to this.
I did a test climb with my Kestrel today and the Stepp Ladder. A few observations:
- I felt totally secure in the saddle, both on the linesman belt and tether.
- I need some practice with the Stepp ladder. They were good, but I set them up inconsistently - It was obvious when I got them set right.
- Setting up a three stepp ladder platform was a bit tricky. Again I need practice on that.
- I was using the wild edge aider which was good. Once again I need some practice on getting the spacing right between steppes so that the aider can cover the gaps.
- Knee pads seem necessary
- I am not sure if my bridge is too long. In order to get into what I felt was my best position required my ropeman to be way up my tether near the girth hitch. That left me with a feeling that my freedom to move around the tree was restricted. I am 6'3" and 220lbs, so I'd like to have some breathing room in the saddle. Do you think I should shorten the bridge a bit and test, or am I imagining this problem (I had the girth hitch set slightly above my head)?
- it took me about +30 min to get up to 25' with a three stepp platform, and I wasn't quiet doing it.
This is really nice gear which I am sure I am going to get to work for me.
Any suggestions are welcome.
I did a test climb with my Kestrel today and the Stepp Ladder. A few observations:
- I felt totally secure in the saddle, both on the linesman belt and tether.
- I need some practice with the Stepp ladder. They were good, but I set them up inconsistently - It was obvious when I got them set right.
- Setting up a three stepp ladder platform was a bit tricky. Again I need practice on that.
- I was using the wild edge aider which was good. Once again I need some practice on getting the spacing right between steppes so that the aider can cover the gaps.
- Knee pads seem necessary
- I am not sure if my bridge is too long. In order to get into what I felt was my best position required my ropeman to be way up my tether near the girth hitch. That left me with a feeling that my freedom to move around the tree was restricted. I am 6'3" and 220lbs, so I'd like to have some breathing room in the saddle. Do you think I should shorten the bridge a bit and test, or am I imagining this problem (I had the girth hitch set slightly above my head)?
- it took me about +30 min to get up to 25' with a three stepp platform, and I wasn't quiet doing it.
This is really nice gear which I am sure I am going to get to work for me.
Any suggestions are welcome.