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No Sticking Thread

75’ of deep woods or Samson
Hey guys, I have some questions that I bet you can answer. I just asked @Weldabeast a few questions on a 1 stick thread, and I am sure @Nutterbuster has some input.

Who no sticks and what combo is the best as far as platform/aiders go? I just tried my predator with some tied on webbing and ascended just as easy as with my muddy pro. The only thing that was more difficult was not having a cam cleat for moves. One other thing I noticed is I tied a 2 step aider from webbing and when the bottom step is under load, the top step is hair pin tight. Are there any factory aiders designed for no sticking? I want to run my predator with a 2 step aider and rappel down. Dropping the 1 stick frees up more room for camera gear and makes my pack less of a snag hazard.

Thanks guys! Pics would be appreciated btw!
predator, a throw ball and 2 tied Blake hitches. Can get to 35’ real quick and rappelling down is a breeze
 
I think it is pretty quiet. No sticking makes less noise than DRT climbing in my opinion.
DRT makes noise? Hmmm that’s weird. I’ve had animals pass right by me while climbing drt. DRT only makes noise if you are not practicing with your throw ball. I mean if you bounce it off the tree 8 times and walk around pulling it up yea you’ll make noise. If you hit your branch in one shot and control the descent of the ball with your hand there is no noise that you wouldn’t make by walking up to the tree. All of this is a mute point (pun intended) if you preseason scout and leave some paracord loops for attachment.
 
I figured 1" tubular webbing would be bulky and awful looking once knotted, especially with alpine knots? But then again I don't have much experience with tying webbing.
Everyone will tell you get oplux... I personally like 9mm pro tac from Bluewater. Either way they are both small diameter and plenty strong enough to use.
 
DRT makes noise? Hmmm that’s weird. I’ve had animals pass right by me while climbing drt. DRT only makes noise if you are not practicing with your throw ball. I mean if you bounce it off the tree 8 times and walk around pulling it up yea you’ll make noise. If you hit your branch in one shot and control the descent of the ball with your hand there is no noise that you wouldn’t make by walking up to the tree. All of this is a mute point (pun intended) if you preseason scout and leave some paracord loops for attachment.
I move too much to worry about presets and having branches tbh.
 
I move too much to worry about presets and having branches tbh.
I get it. I mean I prefer hooks but if I’m going up a tree and hooks aren’t allowed, I know I can at least find a branch as big around as my arm somewhere in my hunting area. (Although pine sap gets nasty)
 
I got an idea - sewn webbing aider with no loops on the ends then use tri-glides to loop it through your platform. Easily removable that way.
DanO has 2 different tri-glides available, FYI. You could make a no-sew aider just with these and 1" webbing.
 
DRT makes noise? Hmmm that’s weird. I’ve had animals pass right by me while climbing drt. DRT only makes noise if you are not practicing with your throw ball. I mean if you bounce it off the tree 8 times and walk around pulling it up yea you’ll make noise. If you hit your branch in one shot and control the descent of the ball with your hand there is no noise that you wouldn’t make by walking up to the tree. All of this is a mute point (pun intended) if you preseason scout and leave some paracord loops for attachment.
So your rope doesn't make a sound when you advance it over the branch/crotch while climbing? What is the trick,I can't seem to figure that out.
Also,you can't DRT climb in the dark unless you have pre-sets.
 
So your rope doesn't make a sound when you advance it over the branch/crotch while climbing? What is the trick,I can't seem to figure that out.
Also,you can't DRT climb in the dark unless you have pre-sets.
I use moving rope techniques in the dark pretty regularly with a head lamp (preset or not)... as far noise when you pull the rope over the crotch, it makes no more noise than adjusting your prusik or tether. The trick is to use half hitches on the flat end of the rope (like sailors use to secure sails to masses before eyelets became mainstream), instead of tying a big knot or tying into a carabiner that hangs up and trying to pull it over. It definitely is not as loud as hanging a stick.
 
I figured 1" tubular webbing would be bulky and awful looking once knotted, especially with alpine knots? But then again I don't have much experience with tying webbing.

Further more, you and I both know that no BIG bucks will come within bow range if you ain't looking good... :sunglasses:
 
I use moving rope techniques in the dark pretty regularly with a head lamp (preset or not)... as far noise when you pull the rope over the crotch, it makes no more noise than adjusting your prusik or tether. The trick is to use half hitches on the flat end of the rope (like sailors use to secure sails to masses before eyelets became mainstream), instead of tying a big knot or tying into a carabiner that hangs up and trying to pull it over. It definitely is not as loud as hanging a stick.
I am talking about while climbing the rope is kinda loud when you hip thrust and advance.
 
That makes sense, I am right at the 200# mark
I wish I was back at 200 #. I used to walk around about 185 lbs and was really able to thrust so there was little tension and that Blake’s would just slide, but the past two seasons I’m around 225 lbs and I still thrust but have a little more tension as the hitch advances. Even then it doesn’t make any more noise than adjusting a prusik on your tether. My wife and I were in a ladder stand once just chatting (not very quietly) and a mature 8pt walked within 18 yards of us. The Blake’s ascends much quieter than my wife’s voice lol, so I believe that as long as I am not bouncing throw bags all over the place, that DRT is going to stay my preferred method as far as safe, quiet, light weight and pack-ability (when using gafs are not an option). Not to mention I paid $160 for enough rope for she and I each to climb to 35’ the system weighs a little under 4.5 lbs including carabiners. (5.5 if you include your 14oz throw ball and 80’ of throw line.) With practice you can get fast at it too. If I have to throw over a limb it takes me approximately 4 minutes to toss the ball, pull the rope, tie in and climb to 25’. If I have a preset I can do it in under 3. However there are so many ways to climb and no way is the wrong way. We do what fits our style and comfort level.
 
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Alright guys, here is trial number 1. Predator, painted and wrapped with coyote 550. Aider made from 2 1" slider buckles from @DanO With 1" coyote tubular webbing. Locked the webbing in the sliders by doubling and fishing the tag end back over the buckle and into the far side, still removable though. A couple knots at 20" with another section of webbing fed through as a step and tied off with a water knot. The step being double feels great on the foot, doesn't close and works GREAT if you decide to stick your knee in during the climb. I may order more of these materials and stitch everything but the sliders at the too. Only reason it isn't all stitched is because I wanted it to be removable. Next I may swap the post for square tube stock and add a cam cleat, unless the camming of the platform crumples it. The platform stays folded and out of the way while climbing due to pressures. No complaints.
 
Do you cam the platform down each climb up or leave it folded up?
Leave it folded and stand on the post/standoff. It is plenty of space to make the move and you don't have to climb around the platform. Of course when your foot is in the aider too it keeps the platform up and out of the way. My platform is semi loose and doesn't fall down at all on me. Cake walk.
 
Leave it folded and stand on the post/standoff. It is plenty of space to make the move and you don't have to climb around the platform. Of course when your foot is in the aider too it keeps the platform up and out of the way. My platform is semi loose and doesn't fall down at all on me. Cake walk.
If you are keeping your platform up how are you attaching your strap to the versa button? Keeing your platform semi loose just seems like a recipe for disaster at some point.
 
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