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Rappel or climb down when two sticking?

greg728

greg728

Active Member
SH Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2021
Messages
197
Location
Pennsylvania
I’m looking into two sticking this year. Climbing up with a multi step aider doesn’t freak me out it’s climbing down with one that does. I’ve seen a few videos where guys will rappel down while two sticking, stopping briefly to remove the second stick. This caught my attention because it seems like you can exit the tree a lot faster and I personally like the idea of dealing with a taught rope during my descend. I’m curious what everyone else experience is with this. Thanks and good luck!
 
I’m climbing either 2TC or four sticks and each one has a wire aider, I rappel no matter what. It’s not an issue at all to stop and take a stick off. It’s actually easier IMO instead of having to deal with the lineman’s belt being set right and leaning back into it.
 
I started one sticking a year or so back and rappel with it. I found myself very frequently hunting at a lower height as a result, like 10 feet where I could just climb down the aider, where I hunt there are a ton of setups where 10ft is as high as you need though.
 
Hunter260 said:
I started one sticking a year or so back and rappel with it. I found myself very frequently hunting at a lower height as a result, like 10 feet where I could just climb down the aider, where I hunt there are a ton of setups where 10ft is as high as you need though.
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I hunt similarly. 10 ft up with good cover is easier than 30ft up for me. maybe because i never practice from that steep of an angle. I hate shooting at that angle. And its usually too thick of a canopy once i get higher than 12-15.
 
ketch22 said:
I’m climbing either 2TC or four sticks and each one has a wire aider, I rappel no matter what. It’s not an issue at all to stop and take a stick off. It’s actually easier IMO instead of having to deal with the lineman’s belt being set right and leaning back into it.
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I hate leaning back on my lineman. Good call
 
PEEJAY said:
I hunt similarly. 10 ft up with good cover is easier than 30ft up for me. maybe because i never practice from that steep of an angle. I hate shooting at that angle. And its usually too thick of a canopy once i get higher than 12-15.
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Yea man I'm definitely more in the mindset of hunt where the cover is instead of hunt 30 feet up every time. I've hunted as low as 12 last year and as high as 22. I would like the option to be able to get over 20' if I need it but my sweet spot I think is around the 15 foot mark.
 
You'll note that rock climbers generally rappel down, rather than downclimbing; this is because it's faster, safer, easier, and more fun. There is a learning curve and a hardware discussion to be had but it's pretty straightforward - lots of right (safe) ways to do it so no need to invent a new, unsafe way.

While you're going down this rabbit hole, you might look into SRT/JRB climbing techniques. If you like the tree you're hunting in, hang a pre-set loop so when you return you can just climb the rope to your perch, rather than messing with sticks.
 
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