Paracord aider? Good idea? Horrible idea?

[aes7.5x55]

Please forgive me if this is a ridiculous question and if it's been covered before; I was unable to find it by searching if it was.

I'm new to saddle hunting and (im)patiently waiting on my saddle to arrive. I have some cheap climbing sticks like the ones shown below. While I know they're heavy and not ideal, I don't want to invest in other climbing methods at the moment until I know more of what I like - I'm so inexperienced that I don't have preferences yet.

While I'm not going to obsess over cutting every possible ounce (anything is better than my previous 25+ pound climber setup), I would like extend my reach with these steps and possibly get by with carrying 3 rather than 4 through the woods.

Is a good, bad, or terrible idea to simply tie a length of paracord on each end of the bottom step to allow me to add 12-14 inches, or is there another material I should use instead?

 

[fbwguy]

Use tubular webbing, not Paracord

 

[pesqimon]

Tubular webbing would be the preferred material for this application.

You could use some heavier duty hardware store rope if you wanted to, for this application, just make sure it is rated for well above your weight.

Paracord seems like a nuissance in this application, and unless you use multiple cords, won't be properly rated for your weight.

For tethers, linesmans, and bridges always use climb rated ropes and cords. Inspect them often for wear.

 

[heretic]

Please don't use paracord for anything load bearing! We owe it to ourselves and our families to come out of the woods safe and in one piece.

 

[aes7.5x55]

Thanks for setting me straight! I was under the impression paracord breaking strength was adequate, but I'll go with tubular webbing as I don't want to take any chances with safety. Is there a certain breaking strength I should look for? What's the preferred source to buy it? What knot should I use to attach it to the steps? Thanks for all the help!

 

[heretic]

Thanks for setting me straight! I was under the impression paracord breaking strength was adequate, but I'll go with tubular webbing as I don't want to take any chances with safety. Is there a certain breaking strength I should look for? What's the preferred source to buy it? What knot should I use to attach it to the steps? Thanks for all the help!

I have some experience rock climbing but I'm no expert so take my advice with a grain of salt. For any gear that will be critically supporting my weight I try to aim for minimum breaking strength in the ballpark of 10 times my weight. That's why you'll see so much climbing gear rated in the thousands of pounds range.

As for which knots to use with tubular webbing, I've heard a lot of reccommendations for using a water knot. I've also heard that knot can be dangerous under certain conditions. See this youtube video for more information:

 

[aes7.5x55]

Thanks heretic! That's a great rule of thumb to know about a breaking strength of 10x weight. I was thinking if paracord breaks at (supposedly) 550 pounds, it would be fine for my 190 pounds. I really appreciate you potentially saving me an accident.

 

[Jeff25]

Tying any kind of knot will weaken the rope by 20-25% as well

 

[cmbetke]

Get you some climbing rated materials! Find rope and webbing by the foot and it is actually fairly cheap!

 

[BCHunter]

steps and things of that nature don't need to be 10X working weight, it is only the life support things like tether/linesman's belt. Paracord doesn't meet the 4X that is normally used either. It's never bad to go overboard and use tubular webbing, but I use a flat webbing with somewhere around 1,000 lb rating.

 

[Jeff25]

I got 1” webbing from a gi surplus for like .30 per foot

 

[kyler1945]

I have some experience rock climbing but I'm no expert so take my advice with a grain of salt. For any gear that will be critically supporting my weight I try to aim for minimum breaking strength in the ballpark of 10 times my weight. That's why you'll see so much climbing gear rated in the thousands of pounds range.

As for which knots to use with tubular webbing, I've heard a lot of reccommendations for using a water knot. I've also heard that knot can be dangerous under certain conditions. See this youtube video for more information:

A water knot, tied with the appropriate stopper knot, properly dressed, with proper tails, is the most widely accepted knot for tying webbing in life support. Any knot, not properly tied, dressed, stopped if necessary, will kill you. The water knot is no exception.