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Securing yourself to tree in hybrid mode

Red Beard

Red Beard

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Bear with me as I fumble through this. I don't really know how to put into words what I'm trying to describe.

Many of yall have adopted the hybrid approach of being part-time saddler and part-time treestand sitter. Then another portion of yall use hang-on stands full-time but use a saddle to climb the tree.

Why haven't we been able to engineer a better/more safe way to secure ourselves to a tree for both of the above (facing tree and facing away from tree) but in a singular package? Seems like by now someone would have come up with a harness -for lack of a better term- that transforms from a forward attaching saddle with a regular tether to a rearward attaching harness-ish thing without having to unclip anything.

I think there are harnesses being made with built-in saddles. Not really talking about those although I think they could be part of rhe discussion. Think where they fall short is when using one of these, it either means you need to unclip from forward facing mode and clip into rearward facing mode, or use two tethers/tree straps with separate carabiner.

Thoughts?
 
www.customgearmodifications.com

Sidewinder Hybrid Hunting Saddle | Custom Gear Modifica

The Sidewinder Hybrid Hunting Saddle is built specially for the hunter who utilizes ladder stands, portable stands or saddle methods on the fly. By giving you a rear connection point as well as a belay loop and leg loop system much like that of a traditional rock climbing harness, you are no...
www.customgearmodifications.com www.customgearmodifications.com

I picked one of these up this year to do exactly what you're talking about. Plan would be to have a second hitch and biner to clip into at the rear before unclipping the bridge. I haven't gotten around to testing it out yet.

BT
 
Red Beard said:
Yes. Isn't that still unclipping from the front and clipping in the rear?
Click to expand...

It is, yes. Clipping in the rear before unclipping the front, of course.

Im not aware of any solutions, and can't think of a way to avoid having to move your clip in point. I was just sharing an option that can do both front and rear connections, and is a saddle instead of a climbing harness/FAH.

BT
 
Black Titan said:
It is, yes. Clipping in the rear before unclipping the front, of course.

Im not aware of any solutions, and can't think of a way to avoid having to move your clip in point. I was just sharing an option that can do both front and rear connections, and is a saddle instead of a climbing harness/FAH.

BT
Click to expand...
Yep. Good call. Thank you
 
I usually stand. It’s more comfortable for my back. I might be missing something. But why is there a need to clip in the back of your harness? Or unclip at all at height? I hunt from a treestand and use an rch, occasionally a wraptor.
 
I am not sure what you are asking, I am slow at 7am :) .
If I am hunting hybrid I usa a saddle. If I am hunting in tree stand mode I use a safety harness.
I did a thread about front tether connection in tree stand mode. After input from people like @Fl Canopy Stalker and others my take away was that a front connection was not a good idea. A right hand bowhunter standing to take a 7 o'clock shot would have too much slack in the tether.
If I want a front connection on my tree stand safety harness (for climbing with my tether connected to the front) using sticks or tree steps. I made a Amsteel bridge that I connect to my linesman loops. But I can climb with my tether connected with a TS harness connected to the rear.
 
will4554 said:
I usually stand. It’s more comfortable for my back. I might be missing something. But why is there a need to clip in the back of your harness? Or unclip at all at height? I hunt from a treestand and use an rch, occasionally a wraptor.
Click to expand...
Guess what I'm trying to relay is that it feels super-dicey to me to sit in a stand with a saddle as my only life support. So is there a better way than wearing both a saddle and a treestand harness?
 
I think with treestands you aren’t supposed to be able to flip upside down so a system that just toggles you at your midsection increases that risk. Center of gravity has to move up to the torso.
 
My wheels have been spinning on this one since last season. I just want a smooth transition from saddle to sitting. Since they require 2 different tether lengths I’m always adjusting knots.

Maybe it’s finally time to try a mechanical device. Idk I hate metal in my system.
 
Red Beard said:
Guess what I'm trying to relay is that it feels super-dicey to me to sit in a stand with a saddle as my only life support. So is there a better way than wearing both a saddle and a treestand harness?
Click to expand...
I just lean on the rch if I want to face the tree. I think if my wraptor had a belt of sorts, I could adjust the tether and hunt the treestand without feeling unsafe. I’m not sure how long my bridge is, but it’s fairly short. If I had the tether set similar to the way I do my rch I don’t think I could fall or be unsafe. That’s not tsma approved or anything ha.
 
Red Beard said:
Guess what I'm trying to relay is that it feels super-dicey to me to sit in a stand with a saddle as my only life support. So is there a better way than wearing both a saddle and a treestand harness?
Click to expand...
I made the Amsteel TS harness bridge so I could use my Dryad mini with my harness.
Two Prusik hitch on tether.
 
Red Beard said:
Bear with me as I fumble through this. I don't really know how to put into words what I'm trying to describe.

Many of yall have adopted the hybrid approach of being part-time saddler and part-time treestand sitter. Then another portion of yall use hang-on stands full-time but use a saddle to climb the tree.

Why haven't we been able to engineer a better/more safe way to secure ourselves to a tree for both of the above (facing tree and facing away from tree) but in a singular package? Seems like by now someone would have come up with a harness -for lack of a better term- that transforms from a forward attaching saddle with a regular tether to a rearward attaching harness-ish thing without having to unclip anything.

I think there are harnesses being made with built-in saddles. Not really talking about those although I think they could be part of rhe discussion. Think where they fall short is when using one of these, it either means you need to unclip from forward facing mode and clip into rearward facing mode, or use two tethers/tree straps with separate carabiner.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Idk if I'm picking up on what you're throwing down but I use a treestand harness. Get up in the stand and clip into a rope tether. I put a different ripe tether on around chin level.
If I want to face the tree, I use my linemans belt as a bridge (attached to the lineman loops) and hook up to the 2nd lower tether.
 
Benb said:
Idk if I'm picking up on what you're throwing down but I use a treestand harness. Get up in the stand and clip into a rope tether. I put a different ripe tether on around chin level.
If I want to face the tree, I use my linemans belt as a bridge (attached to the lineman loops) and hook up to the 2nd lower tether.
Click to expand...
Of course to do the linemans belt bridge, I would hook up to 2nd tether than unclip from harness dorsal tether. I never sat in my saddle when I had one so this system works for a leaner/stander.
I love this setup from my alpha 3. Super wide and stable. And if I cant lug the weight if the stand around then im the problem not my stand
 
woodsdog2 said:
I think with treestands you aren’t supposed to be able to flip upside down so a system that just toggles you at your midsection increases that risk. Center of gravity has to move up to the torso.
Click to expand...
Yes. I agree... COG should move up to the torso.
 
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