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One stick fear factor

slonstdy said:
There's definitely a tradeoff when using a linesman belt during the climb. Yes it is safer but it also makes the climb a bit more fiddly having to advance both a linesman and a tether.

I don't use my linesman belt when I climb because I want to primarily focus on my foot placement and tether movement and don't want the distraction of a linesman getting in the way or causing a tangle or get hung up however momentary it may be. It's one less thing to break my concentration during the climb and to me that's the most important part, staying completely focused and minimizing unnecessary moves. Been doing it this way since I began one sticking three years ago so I'm very comfortable with my technique. Not saying my way is right or safe but I've never had even the slightest hiccup or cause for concern so it works for me.

Sounds like your climbing technique could use some refinement being you said your stick pushes on your hitch and slides you down the rope. Any metal attachment adds weight (madrock, kong, etc) which will cause your bridge to droop and find a way to bang on your stick once slack is introduced in your system. Climbing slow and advancing your tether before stepping up to the next step will minimize this but now you're adding movement while standing stationary in an aider... which is like balancing on the head of a pin imo...So is this the safer way...?

If the two step aider doesn't feel right then try a three step aider or shorten the step spacing on the one you have and see if it feels better. Being comfortable with your stick setup is very important. Climbing up your stick should seem natural and come without effort otherwise it will affect your confidence during the climb.
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I’ve definitely been weighing out exactly what you wrote. When I was practicing one sticking before I actually felt safer not using the lineman’s belt than using it because I was able to focus more on my foot placement and tether advancement. And not get as “distracted” by hang ups with my lineman’s, keeping it above my waist, giving or taking out slack from it.

At this point, I’ve been sticking with using the lineman’s belt, because with a lot of things they become smoother with practice. But if I continue to find it over complicating things then I’ll probably just roll with how I was doing it before.

The rubber washer trick on the quick link I saw from Phatkaw and the tether handles I picked up the idea from Dario make advancing the tether easier and safer, too.


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I have noticed most of the videos show hiking boots or tennis shoes worn during the climb. What does heavy hunting boots do to this method?
 
sconnieman said:
So I've been one sticking this year. Its been going ok. Ive noticed a few things.

ive never like climbing trees much. I also like using sticks less. The thing i hate most about one sticking is when I'm actually stepping up and all the slack gets in the line. i don't trust myself to not slip off a step or my hand slipping from back of tree while trying to adjust tether and hitch. this move introduces quite a large pucker factor. Still, i haven't slipped or fallen or come close yet. Also, my stick has a two step aider and i really feel like it should've been 3 steps. I don't like taking very high steps in the webbing and what happens is that the height i need to set my stick ends up pushing on my hitch and sliding me down the rope. Either that or bangs against my kong duck.

Any tips on feeling more secure and locked on to the tree while making the actual climbs? Oddly enough i feel safest when im just hanging off the side of the tree.
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Use your lineman belt when you reach the top step to move your tether. It makes a huge feel safe factor. May take a few minutes longer but it is worth it. Hunt safe.


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davesonic444 said:
I have noticed most of the videos show hiking boots or tennis shoes worn during the climb. What does heavy hunting boots do to this method?
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Nothing. May make it easier because they have harder soles. I’ve climbed in Lacrosse Rubber boots, doesn’t get any worse than that IMO and it was not a problem.
 
As per the boots, the tree bark can also be a factor there. All summer I was climbing predominantly oak trees with hiking boots. Great grip, no problem. Come hunting season, my Lacrosses on a wet smooth-barked maple were sliding all over the place. I figured it out but I did not practice for and therefore did not properly anticipate the challenge.
 
bowhuntr09 said:
Same here, I try to get off the aider as fast as possible because the greatest perceived risk is my toe slipping off the tree.
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How many steps is your aider? The longer the aider, the more unstable it is so try an aider with one less step and see how that feels. I used a 3-step aider when 1-sticking last year and it felt unsafe at times. Switched to a 2-step aider this year and i use the tether and my foot on the tree to get up into the shorter aider.

Also, as said before, I use my lineman’s belt if I don’t feel stable and always use it when advancing my tether up the tree.
 
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drew13 said:
How many steps is your aider? The longer the aider, the more unstable it is so try an aider with one less step and see how that feels. I used a 3-step aider when 1-sticking last year and it felt unsafe at times. Switched to a 2-step aider this year and i use the tether and my foot on the tree to get up into the shorter aider.

Also, as said before, I use my lineman’s belt if I don’t feel stable and always use it when advancing my tether up the tree.
Click to expand...


I actually did the opposite. I started with a 2 step aider on my UOS and switched it out for a 3 step with more manageable step distances
 
bowhuntr09 said:
I actually did the opposite. I started with a 2 step aider on my UOS and switched it out for a 3 step with more manageable step distances
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I agree with your thoughts on this. I have a four step aider but they’re only 13” steps. The steps are so easy to make it’s really easy to dig my toe in and keep it there.


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drew13 said:
How many steps is your aider? The longer the aider, the more unstable it is so try an aider with one less step me see how that feels. I used a 3-step aider when 1-sticking last year and it felt unsafe. Switches to a 2-step aider this year and just use the tether and my foot on the tree to get up into the shorter aider.

Also, as said before, I use my lineman’s belt if I don’t feel stable and always use it when advancing my tether up the tree.
Click to expand...
drew13 said:
How many steps is your aider? The longer the aider, the more unstable it is so try an aider with one less step and see how that feels. I used a 3-step aider when 1-sticking last year and it felt unsafe at times. Switched to a 2-step aider this year and i use the tether and my foot on the tree to get up into the shorter aider.

Also, as said before, I use my lineman’s belt if I don’t feel stable and always use it when advancing my tether up the tree.
Click to expand...
It takes a few minutes longer using the linesman belt, but one or the other is always tight for me. It’s only two moves to 20’ (after the ground one), but I feel safer. Not scared of climbing, but it would suck to fall and be two miles from the truck. I’ve figured out I’m not bulletproof anymore
 
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