Was literally 100% ready to jump in both feet into saddle hunting then I read several treads detailing the need for being able to 100% reliably self reuse in the event of a climbing equipment failure.
This has caused me to pause and very seriously re-evaluate my hunting from all elevated platforms. My issue is I have use Cranford screw in tree steps for 90% of my climbing into and out of trees. I have NEVER had a failure or issue of any kind with my Cranford SITS and I own over 50 and have used them for 20+ years.
I always use a lineman's belt and are an absolute stone cold expert in installing tree steps so they are properly supported and at a correct angle periductular to the tree so as no aspect of the step is exposed to unacceptable and dangerous forces and I do this without exception. In my own testing none 3 or 4x once properly installed I literally couldn't get a Cranford step to bend if installed correctly even by jumping up and down on it and I weigh between 230 and 270lbs. depending on what year I did the test. I have used Cranford screw in steps for literally hundreds of hunts without a single failure or problem of any kind. I have left my CSITS in trees for as long as 6 possibly 7 months again these same steps still work perfectly today.
I have absolute faith in my Cranford steps. Now my LWCS I have only used a few times bit liked them more strictly from a convivence and effort aspect. It requires MUCH less effort to attach one strap then three screw in steps.
So I have a few questions and a request.
First the request.
Could the saddle experts of this great sight please pool their knowledge and develop either a picture show or video of various simple to use methods and or systems of self rescue in the event of a climbing stick or step failure and post it here. Including every piece of equipment and where to buy it. I think that would be awesome.
I have been stand hunting for 35+ years and only less than half even used a FBH and only went to a safety rope a few years ago. I never even gave my climbing system failing a seconds worth of thought until now. So not surprisingly I have no idea how to equip myself for self rescue from 25' up in a tree I suddenly can not get down from especially after finding myself in a worse case scenario catastrophic climbing system/equipment failure.
Now for my question. Are as high a quality as money can buy like Cranford screw in steps made from hardened steel significantly more robust and less prone to failure than strap on sticks as to make them the superior choice? I understand they are a no-go on much of public land but I hunt more on private land and steps are usually OK.
Is it even possible to calculate how much added risk is possible by using a aider system or platforms to your sticks?
Lastly other than DRT and SRT what is the safest most reliable low risk climbing method if not high quality screw in steps?
I am going to have to do some thinking on this before I spend over $400 on a Saddle and additional climbing equipment.
I hope the most experienced members of this site can come up with a way to help saddle hunters especially total novices such as I with developing a self rescue system as that's something a person with ZERO knowledge certainly could use all the experienced help with they can get,
And I hope I am not asking to much of people or being unrealistic in my requests.
This has caused me to pause and very seriously re-evaluate my hunting from all elevated platforms. My issue is I have use Cranford screw in tree steps for 90% of my climbing into and out of trees. I have NEVER had a failure or issue of any kind with my Cranford SITS and I own over 50 and have used them for 20+ years.
I always use a lineman's belt and are an absolute stone cold expert in installing tree steps so they are properly supported and at a correct angle periductular to the tree so as no aspect of the step is exposed to unacceptable and dangerous forces and I do this without exception. In my own testing none 3 or 4x once properly installed I literally couldn't get a Cranford step to bend if installed correctly even by jumping up and down on it and I weigh between 230 and 270lbs. depending on what year I did the test. I have used Cranford screw in steps for literally hundreds of hunts without a single failure or problem of any kind. I have left my CSITS in trees for as long as 6 possibly 7 months again these same steps still work perfectly today.
I have absolute faith in my Cranford steps. Now my LWCS I have only used a few times bit liked them more strictly from a convivence and effort aspect. It requires MUCH less effort to attach one strap then three screw in steps.
So I have a few questions and a request.
First the request.
Could the saddle experts of this great sight please pool their knowledge and develop either a picture show or video of various simple to use methods and or systems of self rescue in the event of a climbing stick or step failure and post it here. Including every piece of equipment and where to buy it. I think that would be awesome.
I have been stand hunting for 35+ years and only less than half even used a FBH and only went to a safety rope a few years ago. I never even gave my climbing system failing a seconds worth of thought until now. So not surprisingly I have no idea how to equip myself for self rescue from 25' up in a tree I suddenly can not get down from especially after finding myself in a worse case scenario catastrophic climbing system/equipment failure.
Now for my question. Are as high a quality as money can buy like Cranford screw in steps made from hardened steel significantly more robust and less prone to failure than strap on sticks as to make them the superior choice? I understand they are a no-go on much of public land but I hunt more on private land and steps are usually OK.
Is it even possible to calculate how much added risk is possible by using a aider system or platforms to your sticks?
Lastly other than DRT and SRT what is the safest most reliable low risk climbing method if not high quality screw in steps?
I am going to have to do some thinking on this before I spend over $400 on a Saddle and additional climbing equipment.
I hope the most experienced members of this site can come up with a way to help saddle hunters especially total novices such as I with developing a self rescue system as that's something a person with ZERO knowledge certainly could use all the experienced help with they can get,
And I hope I am not asking to much of people or being unrealistic in my requests.