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Number of aider steps

Kayl

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
330
Location
Wisconsin
Currently I've got 4 Novix mini sticks and a mission platform. Now that I've watched videos on one sticking, I'd like to start buying stuff to do it next season. I'm looking at aiders and am wondering how many steps are recommended. I've seen one stick videos with a shikar mini and 2 steps, and others with 3-4 steps. I'm also thinking that if I buy an aider and use it this season I can cut out one of my sticks and still get to the same height.

How many aider steps do you recommend for one sticking and why?
 
Most people I've seen use a two or three step aider. Any shorter and you have to move the stick too many times, longer and it gets more difficult to use. But I'm still a 4 sticker w/cable aiders for now...
 
I do not one stick, but I've read a bunch about it and watched many of the videos and it appears to me that the limiting factor is basically how far you can reach your stick while dangling from your tether.

If you have long arms or a long torso you may be able to use a 3 step aider. If you have T-rex arms or a shorter torso that some, you may be wasting that bottom step on a 3 step aider.

I thought about one sticking so I tested the water without paying the entry fee.
Install one of your sticks at a height you are comfortable with, from your top step set up your tether and dangle to the side as if you were one stick climbing. Instead of reaching down to grab your original stick to move it up the tree, reach behind you and grab a second stick you have hanging from your harness or saddle and attach it to the tree as if it were your original stick. Determine how high you placed that second stick and how long of an aider you'd require to climb it - that will determine the length of aider you'd need. You probably don't need to attach it to the tree with a cam cleat or daisy chain or rope mod as if to climb the second stick, it is simply there for you to gauge aider length.

I learned that it is not my preferred climbing method but plenty love it. I try new methods every year but keep defaulting to the safest and fastest method I can employ; Wild Edge steps with a 3 step DIY aider.

(Next year I intend to give 2TC a go...) Hahaha
 
I do not one stick, but I've read a bunch about it and watched many of the videos and it appears to me that the limiting factor is basically how far you can reach your stick while dangling from your tether.

If you have long arms or a long torso you may be able to use a 3 step aider. If you have T-rex arms or a shorter torso that some, you may be wasting that bottom step on a 3 step aider.

I thought about one sticking so I tested the water without paying the entry fee.
Install one of your sticks at a height you are comfortable with, from your top step set up your tether and dangle to the side as if you were one stick climbing. Instead of reaching down to grab your original stick to move it up the tree, reach behind you and grab a second stick you have hanging from your harness or saddle and attach it to the tree as if it were your original stick. Determine how high you placed that second stick and how long of an aider you'd require to climb it - that will determine the length of aider you'd need. You probably don't need to attach it to the tree with a cam cleat or daisy chain or rope mod as if to climb the second stick, it is simply there for you to gauge aider length.

I learned that it is not my preferred climbing method but plenty love it. I try new methods every year but keep defaulting to the safest and fastest method I can employ; Wild Edge steps with a 3 step DIY aider.

(Next year I intend to give 2TC a go...) Hahaha

Good idea, I'll have to try that out before I buy! :)
 
Wait, wait - I wasn't trying to get you NOT to buy something, we all pay that price each year <sarcasm> I was just trying to help narrow down the aider length decision.

Of course, I haven't read the rule books lately but I think you are permitted to buy 2 aiders of differing lengths this year! :)
 
I’m 5-9, use a three step aider on an 18” stick. Two moves after the initial one from the ground I’m at 20’ (at the saddle). If I use the top step to place my tether, then I use the bottom (third) rung on the aider.
 
The only The only aider that I know that is adjustable The ultimaider. You can make it a 2 step or A 3 step and you also adjust steps height. I bought but I haven't used it. Just do a search on youtube ultimaider reviews.
 
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I think that three shorter steps on an aider is easier than 2 longer ones-- I am 5'8" and can comfortably get the top of my 15 inch one stick to 7 foot off the ground with 3 16" spaced aider steps...
I can get it there with 2 20" aider steps too but I wouldn't call it comfortable-- especially with more clothes on
And, there's nothing that says that you have to continue to use that bottom step as you progress up the tree, you can always just use the top 2 if that's more comfortable for you.
Rick
 
I started one-stick climbing with a 30” Helium and a double step aider. That gave me 4 steps of movement and that worked out well. Last year I upgraded to the Mini-Shikar with a 3 step aider, still giving me the 4 steps of movement.

The nice thing about a 3-step aider is that you have it if you can use it. In some situations it’s best to place your stick lower for that move. If you don’t need that 3rd aider step, just don’t use it but if you do need it, you have it.

Anything longer and the possibility of your foot swinging out is great increased.
 
Yep, if anybody ever said saddle hunting was cheaper they was telling a WoolyWhopper...
I agree 100% it's definitely not cheap more expensive for sure. I will say from experience alot more enjoyable fore. I don't miss logging my climbing tree stand at all
 
I went ahead and ordered the 3 step ultimaider from EWO along with $120 in other stuff
So dangerous to my wallet!

You have just entered the Rabbit Hole, Welcome. :tearsofjoy: Just kidding. Really though I have a 12 inch stick that I made and I use a 2 step aider. The step aide are 15 inches apart from step to step then I reach my bottom step of my stick. The thing about one sticking for me is the ability to reach your stick with ease to move it. The the aider comes into play. The ideal aider length is one where you can place your foot in the aider without a lot of stretching your leg either up or down to place your foot in the aider step. Remember it's not all about how many moves that it takes to reach a certain height but rather how to reach that height safely and with ease of motion. You want to remain comfortable while making your moves. Also depending on where you hunt you may not need to or even be able to get 20 to 30 feet high because the tree canopies will hinder your shooting lanes. The spot that I am hunting next weekend, the highest I can get is about 14 feet. any higher than that and I can't see good enough to spot a deer or shoot
 
3 step - Allows you to have shorter step spacing and still get higher than a two step with wider spacing. Allows you to get higher on first move. On subsequent moves, that third step may or may not get you any additional height. But, what that third step does do is end up right by your foot after you have moved your stick are are preparing to climb the aider. This is key because it is soooo easy get your foot started into aider and gets the aider off the tree, which makes hitting step #2 and #1 easy as well. Get the Ultimater from the get go and you can change the number of steps and step spacing (fall/winter clothing) as many times as you want without having to buy another aider. You have that…you’re set.
 
3 step - Allows you to have shorter step spacing and still get higher than a two step with wider spacing. Allows you to get higher on first move. On subsequent moves, that third step may or may not get you any additional height. But, what that third step does do is end up right by your foot after you have moved your stick are are preparing to climb the aider. This is key because it is soooo easy get your foot started into aider and gets the aider off the tree, which makes hitting step #2 and #1 easy as well. Get the Ultimater from the get go and you can change the number of steps and step spacing (fall/winter clothing) as many times as you want without having to buy another aider. You have that…you’re set.
I never even thought about using a 3 step aider with smaller step spacing. I may have to change mine up a bit.
 
I made several aiders before I settled on the right step length for me. I've ended up with a 3 step set up with 15" spacing and it is very comfortable for me but I only use it on the bottom step as I tend to be not terribly limber at 73. I take 5 ,17" Lone Wolf customs and usually make presets that way for SRT, but sometimes hunt off of it also. I am not good at managing a throwline as most of my trees have a lot of small branches in the way and I have had too much frustration.
 
I made several aiders before I settled on the right step length for me. I've ended up with a 3 step set up with 15" spacing and it is very comfortable for me but I only use it on the bottom step as I tend to be not terribly limber at 73. I take 5 ,17" Lone Wolf customs and usually make presets that way for SRT, but sometimes hunt off of it also. I am not good at managing a throwline as most of my trees have a lot of small branches in the way and I have had too much frustration.
Rock on brotha!
 
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