Marmuzz
Well-Known Member
TL;DR: Considering pros/cons of advising a DIY Sit Drag + RCH + Helium one stick and rappel setup as a budget entry option for saddle rookies.
All right, you guys who have been down this road before, chime in. I love designing systems, doing things unconventionally, and saving money. I don’t mean to reinvent the wheel but this has been fun to think about.
My current setup: Overwatch Transformer, EWO one stick with angled OOAL Monarch, two ROS on a ratchet
Climbing method: one sticking + rappel
Satisfaction: Love it, super comfortable, no reason to change, not trying to convince anyone they should
However, ever since I began researching saddle hunting a year ago I’ve been intrigued by one of the original ideas of using a rock climbing harness and Sit Drag. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched DIY Sportsman’s old Sit Drag YouTube video. When I look at all the time and money I dumped into researching various gear and methods last year, I just can’t help but wonder if as a newb I would’ve been better off trying out this OG idea to see if I liked the method. As I encounter more hunters who are curious about saddle hunting, I’m considering advising this method as a cost effective way to try it out. There are admittedly some drawbacks. Mind you, I’ve never tried this myself, and I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest my aforementioned present setup. However, I can appreciate not everyone wants to invest that much if they aren’t persuaded yet.
Potential setup: RCH + Sit Drag, a 20” Hawk Helium stick with 1-step webbing aider, HTP 10mm or similar climbing rope for both rappel/tether and lineman’s, all friction hitches, using a carabiner munter or figure 8 to rappel
Climbing method: one sticking + rappel
Possible pros:
All right, you guys who have been down this road before, chime in. I love designing systems, doing things unconventionally, and saving money. I don’t mean to reinvent the wheel but this has been fun to think about.
My current setup: Overwatch Transformer, EWO one stick with angled OOAL Monarch, two ROS on a ratchet
Climbing method: one sticking + rappel
Satisfaction: Love it, super comfortable, no reason to change, not trying to convince anyone they should
However, ever since I began researching saddle hunting a year ago I’ve been intrigued by one of the original ideas of using a rock climbing harness and Sit Drag. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched DIY Sportsman’s old Sit Drag YouTube video. When I look at all the time and money I dumped into researching various gear and methods last year, I just can’t help but wonder if as a newb I would’ve been better off trying out this OG idea to see if I liked the method. As I encounter more hunters who are curious about saddle hunting, I’m considering advising this method as a cost effective way to try it out. There are admittedly some drawbacks. Mind you, I’ve never tried this myself, and I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest my aforementioned present setup. However, I can appreciate not everyone wants to invest that much if they aren’t persuaded yet.
Potential setup: RCH + Sit Drag, a 20” Hawk Helium stick with 1-step webbing aider, HTP 10mm or similar climbing rope for both rappel/tether and lineman’s, all friction hitches, using a carabiner munter or figure 8 to rappel
Climbing method: one sticking + rappel
Possible pros:
- Lighter weight (less fabric, straps, and buckles, fewer sticks)
- Less cost—I figure this entire setup to get in and out of a tree could be assembled for $250-300—roughly the cost of a new or good condition used manufactured saddle alone
- Possibly avoid getting drawn into the fad canyon of latest and greatest marketing hype, endless comparing of products and features, and spending lots of money. This is a tried and true method.
- Resale value. If you don’t like it, you’re probably stuck with the RCH and Sit Drag. But somebody could buy your ropes and stick. Net loss $100 for the experience.
- For one-stickers like myself, I imagine RCH straps digging into your leg when climbing would be a literal pain in the butt (and other nether regions).
- Two “bridge” connection points. The RCH belay loop for primary safety, coupled with the Sit Drag bridge biner for support. Requires more adjustment, more possible metal contact noise.
- No dump pouches. Could be remedied with a Speedy Stitcher to create molle loops on the Sit Drag, but it’s another step. Climbing without access to ropes on your hips would be a dealbreaker for me I think.
- No adjustments except for your Sit Drag bridge height.
- Single panel design. (I’d suggest most newbs have enough fiddle factor starting out that the benefit of a two panel saddle would be lost on them, but having that feature now myself, I can’t put the genie back in the bottle.)
- Steep learning curve. Everything is easy to the initiated—but learning to tie all your own knots, different friction hitches, how to one stick, how to rappel, etc. could certainly be more intimidating to someone rather than opening a box with a shiny gadget “intended” for that purpose (I know, somewhere a safety engineer specializing in rock climbing belay devices suddenly choked and spit out his coffee for an unknown reason).
- …But on the other hand, you won’t spend 2 months straight on YouTube trying to figure out everything this increasingly complicated hunting method has to offer.
- No platform. I doubt standing on Helium feet for hours is comfy. Could be supplemented by a conveniently located tree branch, or for a little more cost, 2-3 ROS.