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Practice

O

Oldnotdead

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2019
Messages
209
So I've been practicing,the saddle (sit drag mod) is comfy. The climb is not. I'm using the alternate step stick ladder. It bothers my feet and stresses my calves. I may switch to the lounge foot aid.. I dont think twice about leaning out turning behind me but I'm not feeling easy about moving around the tree. I don't know why but it causes me a " rush" type feeling for lack of a better word. It's almost like a falling feeling as I try movement one side of tree or the other. I dont get it.
 
Try it a foot off the ground and get used to trusting your equipment. I felt the same way at first especially when I switched to a platform after a ring of steps. You will quickly learn how to shift your feet and knees against the tree so you don't swing around and will become more confident. Good luck and keep trying.
 
if you are climbing why are you moving from one side to the other? trying to understand where your discomfort is - you mentioned its on the climb but that side to side movement is making you uneasy - so I'm confused
 
I didn't separate that well . Once I get to my settled spot after climbing. When practicing movement around the tree.
the climbing discomfort has to do with steps and old injuries. I have arch issues a steel rod in my leg from knee to ankle and two bad knees one a complete ACL tear and the other 2/3 of the meniscus was removed and arthritis scraped. Standing on alternate steps while strapping them to the tree is causing discomfort. My sitting or leaning is fine . My thighs are rather strong to compensate knees. So the climbing aid should be way better
 
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a platform may be the solution - where you have more surface area for your feet and can lean off to each side. You hear guys talk about saddle shape - but standing on the small platforms / ROS are an adjustment too. If your tether and bridge and connected at a comfortable position, you just have to start to "trust" the fact that you are not going anywhere. Only time up the tree will help settle that really - but a slightly bigger platform could help get you there more quickly
 
Try leaning more. Make your tether a little longer. Then keep your knees on the tree. Straighten one leg out and you will have a controlled swing one way. Use the opposite leg to swing the other way. I always keep one knee on the tree. Gives a lot more control where I don’t feel like I’m about to free fall around the tree.
Boudreaux had a good video using his knees. I’ll try to find it.
 
WE type DIY platform will be fine. Most of my saddle hunting at home will be off established stands . That was the reason for my going this route. Sitting long hour stiffens me to where I literally can't stand.
Just because I have challenges doesn't mean I can't try new things to "dampen" those issues.
I have an adjustable bridge for now, prusik on bridge ropeman on lineman
 
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swampsnyper said:
Try leaning more. Make your tether a little longer. Then keep your knees on the tree. Straighten one leg out and you will have a controlled swing one way. Use the opposite leg to swing the other way. I always keep one knee on the tree. Gives a lot more control where I don’t feel like I’m about to free fall around the tree.
Boudreaux had a good video using his knees. I’ll try to find it.
Click to expand...

need to get the knee pads out
 
I don’t think this is it but it might help. Don’t know if you are a leaner or a sitter but how I do it will work better for a sitter with more slack in your tether than learners use.
Something like this. ....

 
swampsnyper said:
I don’t think this is it but it might help. Don’t know if you are a leaner or a sitter but how I do it will work better for a sitter with more slack in your tether than learners use.
Something like this. ....

Click to expand...

those last shots I find easy and comfortable. I actually built a wide saddle around the sit drag and beside covering more on my upper thighs it covers higher on my lower back. I think its the knee positioning I need to get down thanks for the video
 
Oldnotdead said:
Oh knee pads will be a must for me like them or not.

a cautionary tale to all you younger adventures. What you do or don't do in your youth, will come back to bite you in what is really the "prime" of your life.
Click to expand...

Truer words have never been spoken!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Just get the a climbing aid that is in my video. Problem solved.
 
Well I did get out the knee pads Wow what a difference and I also got out my LC(lounge climber) OK you made that look easier than I thought, LOL Mines the newer model, 2 bar one, so farther from tree on foot leverage...I do not have long legs.
Now I'm going to be blunt here so hold on guys....This is a tad tricky for me, put aside all the injuries , I deal with it...but I'm a hhmmm.... a chesty type person. I'm thinking I just may have to do a firm wrapping before dressing to go out on a saddle hunt. Dang ! fine for interviews when I was young ...PIA now!
That's your laugh for the day ...your welcome:tongueout:

ps..Thanks a lot Grandma C :mad::rolleyes:
 
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