Rope Aider Questions.

[Hunter260]

Looking to build a 2 or 3 step ladder style aider from rope, that way I can attach it to my ridge runner with a couple of scaffold knots. I’ve been climbing with an amsteel aider attached with webbing, but think rope would be better. Has anyone built one before? I’m wondering about what type of rope I should use and also what knots would be appropriate.

Right now I’m thinking 6mm trc with alpine butterfly knots to attach rungs to.

 

[CharlieTN]

I’m running a 3-step rope aider made from 7mm Bluewater accessory cord with 9mm ID gas line hose to stiffen the steps. I did wind up adding a paracord cobra braid on the hose to give it some more traction after my boot slipped off one step on a hunt when the ground was very wet.



The steps consists of a continuous outer loop with tied in cross steps for the two upper steps. The tie-in is very easy. They are jammed double barrel knots, one tied on the continuous loop with the cross step rope ran up through it then tied around the continuous outer loop. Jams up nice and tight.

The rope will be heavier and bulkier than the Amsteel. Honestly though, if I had to do it again, I would probably make it from 1” tubular webbing constructed in a similar fashion which is what I did on the Hawk Helium on the left of the one photo.

I have since changed over to the Scout platform on the bottom of the Shikar Mini and tied the aider on in a similar fashion. Putting the aider out to the front edge fo the Scout platform sets the aider out a good bit from the tree making it much easier to get your foot in enough.

 

[Hunter260]

I’m running a 3-step rope aider made from 7mm Bluewater accessory cord with 9mm ID gas line hose to stiffen the steps. I did wind up adding a paracord cobra braid on the hose to give it some more traction after my boot slipped off one step on a hunt when the ground was very wet.

View attachment 41902
View attachment 41903
The steps consists of a continuous outer loop with tied in cross steps for the two upper steps. The tie-in is very easy. They are jammed double barrel knots, one tied on the continuous loop with the cross step rope ran up through it then tied around the continuous outer loop. Jams up nice and tight.

The rope will be heavier and bulkier than the Amsteel. Honestly though, if I had to do it again, I would probably make it from 1” tubular webbing constructed in a similar fashion which is what I did on the Hawk Helium on the left of the one photo.

I have since changed over to the Scout platform on the bottom of the Shikar Mini and tied the aider on in a similar fashion. Putting the aider out to the front edge fo the Scout platform sets the aider out a good bit from the tree making it much easier to get your foot in enough.

Awesome aiders. I’m thinking I’ll pretty much copy them. I have an amsteel aider on now, but don’t like the way it attaches to the platform. I worry a little about webbing rubbing on the corners of the platform, and I don’t like knots in webbing.

 

[rich]

I made a 2 step to add to my first 20" Hawk Helium stick. I tied rope to the outside holes like Hunter260 did and used some old water hose for the bottom step but I used a piece of 1" square aluminum tubing 7" long for my second step. I drilled holes in each end big enough to place a piece of 1/2 pex pipe through to run the rope through to protect it from being possibly cut by rubbing metal with knots tied below and above the step to keep it in place. I made single steps with water hose for my other sticks. I have not tried them yet because I am just getting into the saddle hunting game. I made me a hunting platform yesterday out of an old lock on treestand seat and also cut and pre assembled using binder clips my Ander style saddle. Planning on sewing it together tomorrow. I have a plan in my head of how to use some more of the 1" square tubing I have to add a small platform to the top step of a Helium stick. Am planning on going to Lowes this afternoon when it warms up and I can clean off my frozen in vehicle to get some PVC pipe and connectors to build a pack frame to easily pack the stuff in with. Also need four 6" long bolts with lock nuts for the stick platform. So far I have only had to purchase the upholstery thread to sew the saddle, two finder washers and will purchase the PVC and bolts. I had everything else laying around which was either mine or from when I cleaned out my Dad's after his death. We are both pack rats. LOL

 

[Hunter260]

I made a 2 step to add to my first 20" Hawk Helium stick. I tied rope to the outside holes like Hunter260 did and used some old water hose for the bottom step but I used a piece of 1" square aluminum tubing 7" long for my second step. I drilled holes in each end big enough to place a piece of 1/2 pex pipe through to run the rope through to protect it from being possibly cut by rubbing metal with knots tied below and above the step to keep it in place. I made single steps with water hose for my other sticks. I have not tried them yet because I am just getting into the saddle hunting game. I made me a hunting platform yesterday out of an old lock on treestand seat and also cut and pre assembled using binder clips my Ander style saddle. Planning on sewing it together tomorrow. I have a plan in my head of how to use some more of the 1" square tubing I have to add a small platform to the top step of a Helium stick. Am planning on going to Lowes this afternoon when it warms up and I can clean off my frozen in vehicle to get some PVC pipe and connectors to build a pack frame to easily pack the stuff in with. Also need four 6" long bolts with lock nuts for the stick platform. So far I have only had to purchase the upholstery thread to sew the saddle, two finder washers and will purchase the PVC and bolts. I had everything else laying around which was either mine or from when I cleaned out my Dad's after his death. We are both pack rats. LOL

I’d like to see that diy pack frame when it’s finished

 

[raisins]

I’m running a 3-step rope aider made from 7mm Bluewater accessory cord with 9mm ID gas line hose to stiffen the steps. I did wind up adding a paracord cobra braid on the hose to give it some more traction after my boot slipped off one step on a hunt when the ground was very wet.

View attachment 41902
View attachment 41903
The steps consists of a continuous outer loop with tied in cross steps for the two upper steps. The tie-in is very easy. They are jammed double barrel knots, one tied on the continuous loop with the cross step rope ran up through it then tied around the continuous outer loop. Jams up nice and tight.

The rope will be heavier and bulkier than the Amsteel. Honestly though, if I had to do it again, I would probably make it from 1” tubular webbing constructed in a similar fashion which is what I did on the Hawk Helium on the left of the one photo.

I have since changed over to the Scout platform on the bottom of the Shikar Mini and tied the aider on in a similar fashion. Putting the aider out to the front edge fo the Scout platform sets the aider out a good bit from the tree making it much easier to get your foot in enough.

That's a clever knotting scheme.

 

[rich]

OK. There are all sorts of PVC pack frame how to do it on YouTube. It will be basically like a Allice Pack frame with the shelf at the bottom of which I will put a piece of thin plywood across to rest my platform upside down with the frame leg running upward and then strap it to a cross bar on the frame. I will then strap my sticks straight up and down to the pack frame. I will use a set of military shoulder harness made to hold up a webbing belt as my pack straps attached to the frame. I will try to get pictures posted of everything when I get it finished.

 

[AUtiger]

I’m running a 3-step rope aider made from 7mm Bluewater accessory cord with 9mm ID gas line hose to stiffen the steps. I did wind up adding a paracord cobra braid on the hose to give it some more traction after my boot slipped off one step on a hunt when the ground was very wet.

View attachment 41902
View attachment 41903
The steps consists of a continuous outer loop with tied in cross steps for the two upper steps. The tie-in is very easy. They are jammed double barrel knots, one tied on the continuous loop with the cross step rope ran up through it then tied around the continuous outer loop. Jams up nice and tight.

The rope will be heavier and bulkier than the Amsteel. Honestly though, if I had to do it again, I would probably make it from 1” tubular webbing constructed in a similar fashion which is what I did on the Hawk Helium on the left of the one photo.

I have since changed over to the Scout platform on the bottom of the Shikar Mini and tied the aider on in a similar fashion. Putting the aider out to the front edge fo the Scout platform sets the aider out a good bit from the tree making it much easier to get your foot in enough.

Can’t tell but did you tie the same knots with the webbing? Trying to decide if I should use the webbing I have or if I should try 5mm titan dyneema or even amsteel with your knots but bury the tag ends of the steps into the continuous loop.

 

[gcr0003]

Can’t tell but did you tie the same knots with the webbing? Trying to decide if I should use the webbing I have or if I should try 5mm titan dyneema or even amsteel with your knots but bury the tag ends of the steps into the continuous loop.

I would recommend water knots with webbing instead of double fisherman’s. I’ll try and share my webbing aider when I get a chance.

 

[CharlieTN]

Can’t tell but did you tie the same knots with the webbing? Trying to decide if I should use the webbing I have or if I should try 5mm titan dyneema or even amsteel with your knots but bury the tag ends of the steps into the continuous loop.

No. The webbing is tied with what is called a water knot. It’s basically a doubled up overhand knot. Tie the overhand knot in one piece of webbing, then trace that same knot with the other piece. Tighten it all up and secure the tag ends. It’s crazy how well it holds but you do have to keep a loose eye on it since it can work loose. It does make it nice thought if you need to adjust the length. Much easier with the webbing and water knots than with the rope and barrel knots.

 

[gcr0003]

This was from one of the first aiders I made and while structurally it was sound the steps were entirely too long and I didn't have anything keeping them open. They are a good close up of what the water knots look like.

That said the biggest improvements I made was to cut 6 in pieces of old large zip ties and feed them into the steps. They hold them open perfectly and are extremely light weight. The second thing was to make the step closer together. I would probably take 4-6" off what ever step height you desire because when you weight the step it will obviously sag down about 3-4" and then secondly your waterknots will cinch down a little more after a couple uses. I have never had a water knot back out on me but they always get a little tighter once you put 200 lbs on them.

 

[AUtiger]

View attachment 42258

This was from one of the first aiders I made and while structurally it was sound the steps were entirely too long and I didn't have anything keeping them open. They are a good close up of what the water knots look like.

That said the biggest improvements I made was to cut 6 in pieces of old large zip ties and feed them into the steps. They hold them open perfectly and are extremely light weight. The second thing was to make the step closer together. I would probably take 4-6" off what ever step height you desire because when you weight the step it will obviously sag down about 3-4" and then secondly your waterknots will cinch down a little more after a couple uses. I have never had a water knot back out on me but they always get a little tighter once you put 200 lbs on them.

thanks for posting! I’ll probably use some cut lifeline rope from an old stand purchase and feed that through the webbing for the steps.

 

[CharlieTN]

thanks for posting! I’ll probably use some cut lifeline rope from an old stand purchase and feed that through the webbing for the steps.

The webbing aider on the helium on the left of my photo has some 8mm rope cut off and in each step as well as the Cobra braid tied over. Just the rope would work well, I just like the extra traction from the Cobra Braid.