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Lord have mercy on me!

Idobbq

Idobbq

New Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2022
Messages
32
Location
Benton, KY
So - just pulled the trigger on a full kit by Cruzr. Found a set of Muddy Outdoor steps. Now, I just need to figure out if I'm going to be one of those that repels down the tree or step down. This saddle stuff is a rabbit hole of enormous proportions.
 
The real rabbit hole is reading about all the stuff you think you need, but in reality don't. That was my problem. My suggestion is to start practicing with the little bit you have, then add what you think you need. My mistake was doing it the opposite way. You did make an excellent first choice on the Cruzr though. I bought some Skeletor steps and although I got a discount, I overpaid for a product. They're fine despite what you'll read about them, but in reality I just should've bought Heliums for $99 on Camofire.
 
C.J.M. said:
The real rabbit hole is reading about all the stuff you think you need, but in reality don't. That was my problem. My suggestion is to start practicing with the little bit you have, then add what you think you need. My mistake was doing it the opposite way. You did make an excellent first choice on the Cruzr though. I bought some Skeletor steps and although I got a discount, I overpaid for a product. They're fine despite what you'll read about them, but in reality I just should've bought Heliums for $99 on Camofire.
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Definitely agree. But I think you’ll like the way the skeletors steps come out from the tree and the attachment system is much better. I had the Hawks and added the cam cleat which was nice but then you couldn’t stack them well even after modifying.
 
IMO your starting with good equipment.I like my Cruzr XC as much as my more expensive saddles. Repelling down is best learned with personnel help but can be learned on your own with videos. Start low.
 
Rickor said:
IMO your starting with good equipment.I like my Cruzr XC as much as my more expensive saddles. Repelling down is best learned with personnel help but can be learned on your own with videos. Start low.
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Well - I’m 6’2…I’m planning on learning rappelling from about 4’. As far as I can tell, I don't know of anyone around me that rappels. So - it’s YT and me.
 
C.J.M. said:
The real rabbit hole is reading about all the stuff you think you need, but in reality don't. That was my problem. My suggestion is to start practicing with the little bit you have, then add what you think you need. My mistake was doing it the opposite way. You did make an excellent first choice on the Cruzr though. I bought some Skeletor steps and although I got a discount, I overpaid for a product. They're fine despite what you'll read about them, but in reality I just should've bought Heliums for $99 on Camofire.
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I’ve got a set of Heliums, even have a Helium saddle - just can’t stand the saddle. Not a fan of the steps, for that matter. I bought the Muddy steps for the sole purpose of the cam cleat for the rope. I’m a fan of simplicity. I don’t want to feed a strap through a ratchet in the dark and cold.
 
6'3 300 and i had to teach myself as well ..but im definitely going back to the figure 8

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk
 
Idobbq said:
Well - I’m 6’2…I’m planning on learning rappelling from about 4’. As far as I can tell, I don't know of anyone around me that rappels. So - it’s YT and me.
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YT is where I learned! I climbed this weekend while scouting (first time out of my yard) and found myself watching YT on rappelling in my saddle at hunting height! lol
I tried the Smart 2.0 device in my yard from 4' , and picked up a 8 to try cause they are cheap. I think I like my 8. I'm going to sit with my tether and rappel with a separate rope.

Enjoy! BE SAFE!
 
RMcDonald7 said:
I think I like my 8. I'm going to sit with my tether and rappel with a separate rope.

Enjoy! BE SAFE!
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So - 2 questions: Why the 8 vs. a mechanical (Madrock or whatever)? Also, why a separate rope from the tether? Seems that would get crowded with ropes and whatnot.
 
There are tons of great videos out there and its just like anything else, you can't be flippant about your decisions or your process. You must be methodical and practiced so its second nature. I keep everything in the same locations and try to do everything the same way each time so the steps are burned into my memory.
 
woodsdog2 said:
There are tons of great videos out there and its just like anything else, you can't be flippant about your decisions or your process. You must be methodical and practiced so its second nature. I keep everything in the same locations and try to do everything the same way each time so the steps are burned into my memory.
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I hope I didn’t come across as flippant…I’m fully aware of the potentialities of all of this. And yes - by the time I actually do hunt - everything will be 2nd nature - not to the point of taking anything for granted, but of being completely aware of all my gear. I’m aiming for simplicity - that’s why I want to rappel vs come down steps and potentially missing one.
 
Idobbq said:
So - 2 questions: Why the 8 vs. a mechanical (Madrock or whatever)? Also, why a separate rope from the tether? Seems that would get crowded with ropes and whatnot.
Click to expand...

I like both the mechanical and fig. 8 however the fig. 8 feels like a smoother decent than my Mamut Smart 2.0 (just practice i guess)
And with the fig. 8, I dont want to sit in the saddle on a hunt with just the fig. 8 as my connection to my tether. So, with using a Ropman on my tether, I find it easier to have my rappel rope on my hip in a roll pouch and attach it at the end of a hunt attach the rappel rope to the tree, hook it to my bridge, then unhook my tether - always connected to the tree for safety. I then unhook my tether and pack it away.

Now with the Smart 2.0, You can use just like a madrock and use your rappel line as a tether and stay hooked to it for your hunt. Which I may end up doing, but for now I like the tether/rappel ropes being separate.

Hope this makes sense! lol
 
RMcDonald7 said:
I like both the mechanical and fig. 8 however the fig. 8 feels like a smoother decent than my Mamut Smart 2.0 (just practice i guess)
And with the fig. 8, I dont want to sit in the saddle on a hunt with just the fig. 8 as my connection to my tether. So, with using a Ropman on my tether, I find it easier to have my rappel rope on my hip in a roll pouch and attach it at the end of a hunt attach the rappel rope to the tree, hook it to my bridge, then unhook my tether - always connected to the tree for safety. I then unhook my tether and pack it away.

Now with the Smart 2.0, You can use just like a madrock and use your rappel line as a tether and stay hooked to it for your hunt. Which I may end up doing, but for now I like the tether/rappel ropes being separate.

Hope this makes sense! lol
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Makes perfect sense. Thanks! I’m leaning towards just the one rope - see how that goes. I went ahead and got 30 ft. of C-IV rope with that idea in mind.
 
Welcome! I use an ATC to rappel due to simplicity, ok, and co$t. I have a second shorter bridge for that too. I have a prussik below the ATC to work as my brake so I can hang hands free and remove platform etc.. I go up with a ropeman and switch to come down. It’s not the best method, but I am very comfortable using it.
I also added a cam cleat to a 36” helium stick and 1 stick with it. When I set it, it sticks and I love having 3 double hard steps……a single step aider is nice, but I dislike multiple steps aiders.
 
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