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Newbie questions

A

Airborneduckhunter

Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2020
Messages
45
Location
Leesville, LA
Ok folks, I am about to begin my saddle adventures. Been watching videos and reading a bunch. I am leaning towards the one stick method and rappelling. Questions are: What kind of rope should I look to get. Honestly not worried so much about color, just want to get the right type. Thinking at least 30’. For bridge, what size and length is kinda the “standard” for amsteel? Do I need an ascender (ropeman) for my tether? Would 550 paracord be sufficient for a retrieval line to pull my rappel line down or do I need something different like dynaglide? Thanks in advance
 
I don’t use this method but have read a bit on it. Depending on the height you climb at you may want to consider a longer rope. I think some guys are carrying 50’+. If you think about it if you want to get 25’ in the air you will need extra for knots, the diameter of the tree, also your height will add in length since you would be 25’ at stand height. Just a thought. I also believe 550 would work but dynaglide would be nice because it doesn’t knot as easily. Regarding the type of rope unfortunately I do not know what is best. I have seen people use Ropeman ascenders for their tethers but have also seen good reasons not to use them on your tether (YouTube video from the NY Saddle Hunter). I personally use the ropeman on my linesman’s belt and a prusik on my tether and do not have problems, although the Ropeman would be nice because they are so easy to use. For your bridge I think they are using a full bury 1/4” amsteel but may want to research more into that. I’m in Wisconsin and find it very difficult on public land to find a tree that is skinny to hunt out of, I have found that my linesman belt is too short and causes troubles when climbing wide trees so I’d recommend making your linesman belt long and cutting it down in the future if you find you do not use it. Good luck!
 
millerma271987 said:
I don’t use this method but have read a bit on it. Depending on the height you climb at you may want to consider a longer rope. I think some guys are carrying 50’+. If you think about it if you want to get 25’ in the air you will need extra for knots, the diameter of the tree, also your height will add in length since you would be 25’ at stand height. Just a thought. I also believe 550 would work but dynaglide would be nice because it doesn’t knot as easily. Regarding the type of rope unfortunately I do not know what is best. I have seen people use Ropeman ascenders for their tethers but have also seen good reasons not to use them on your tether (YouTube video from the NY Saddle Hunter). I personally use the ropeman on my linesman’s belt and a prusik on my tether and do not have problems, although the Ropeman would be nice because they are so easy to use. For your bridge I think they are using a full bury 1/4” amsteel but may want to research more into that. I’m in Wisconsin and find it very difficult on public land to find a tree that is skinny to hunt out of, I have found that my linesman belt is too short and causes troubles when climbing wide trees so I’d recommend making your linesman belt long and cutting it down in the future if you find you do not use it. Good luck!
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Thanks for your input. I see your point on a longer rope and the dynaglide. I will look into getting some. I picked up a ropeman today in the classifieds so one less thing as well as some daisy chain amsteel 1/4 and 7/16 I believe. I’m in Louisiana and we don’t have a lot of trees that are very big around. Again thanks for your input
 
Contact @DanO at doublestep.com. he carries everything you will need for one stick climbing. Look for his "Ultimate one stick" I just ordered one. It looks like the perfect stick for climbing. You get a platform attached to the top of the stick and an aider of your choice that is sewn onto the bottom of the stick. There is a video at the bottom of the page when you open the stick page check it out. They have a 13 year old climbing with it.

I use 40' of 8mm OpLux rope and use a Mad Rock Safeguard for climbing and repelling.
 
I'm not as expert as others on here, but here's what I have / recommend:
Rope- I bought 35ft of Sterling HTP. Works good but if I had to do it over, I'd use Sterling C-IV Canyon. I have that for my tether and like it better; smaller and packs better. Since I'm cheap and already invested in HTP, I'll keep using it.
Bridge- I have used different things but switched to 1" webbing and sliders from DanO. I just like the way it slides thru my biner and I can put my sliders right up against my loops so its all bridge. I don't need to constantly adjust my bridge and use a fairly short one. Every inch of something that is between your bridge loops and carabiner takes away from your "functional" bridge length and ability to freely turn to the side.
Ascender- I use a Ropeman on my tether on my way up the tree, but have started working more with a Prusik tender.
Rapelling- I use an ATC instead of a Safeguard. I'm sure the Safeguards are great, but I'm happy with my setup.
 
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