Silent approach

[Petrichor]

So I’m new to saddle. Total noob. I had the benefit of trying out a few different climbing methods with my lesson with a veteran saddle hunter @WhackumTv. During that time I discovered that sticks weren’t really what I wanted. WE steps weren’t really either. Roger had a silent approach ros which I liked enough to order a silent approach saddle kit. Today they arrived. 10 steps and a ring for about 7.5 lbs. I spent the shipping time watching the videos for tips and tricks and I put the straps on and tried them out.

Everything arrived as described and a previous call to bullman went unanswered but I receive a call back within five minutes! I talked to the man himself who said my order would be shipping by end of week and it did. That kind of response is valuable to a customer.

Lets go over a few things.

Pouches
the pouches that hold the steps and ring are nice. In this case I received two green pouches and a brown pouch that fit the steps and ring as described. But just barely. I wouldn’t want to have to fit the extra step from the 12 pack in each of the green pouches. The PALS on the pouches is backward from how I would do it, but it is fine.

Steps
They work well and the straps are good and easy to attach. Had to reburn a couple of ends on the straps but all is well. The videos definitely helped with first use. They are easy and don’t have near the learning curve of WE steps. They are not sticks and don’t expect them to be. They are solid and can customize easily to the climb. Easy enough to use in the dark IMO. Steps are wide and have a touch of flex in the plastic, they are very nice.

Ring
Same steps with a ratchet. Ratchet is heavy duty and works well. Feel free to take a few steps off depending on the tree. Very secure and stout. Side pressure is no problem. The silent approach steps are comfortable when leaning for periods due to their width and are made for sitting.

Noise:
Plastic equals dead noise. No issues. Ratchet can be silenced by holding it or can be replaced with a cam buckle.

All in all for platform and steps under 200 this is incredible. I will be sticking with it for the foreseeable future. Practice will increase my proficiency but even after the first use I feel confident.

Here are some picks after the first and second climb. Tree was super wide and I couldn’t fit my hands around.l but it’s all I had. I imagine it would be even easier with a basketball sized tree.

 

[Petrichor]

More pictures. Rerigged all steps on to one strap (comes with three). Sling over the shoulder and good to go.

 

[WhackumTv]

Sweet man glad you got your own way. Practice makes perfect.

 

[CharlieTN]

I’ve never climbed with the Silent Approach steps but have used their ROS. With the ROS, if you make sure you get it good and tight it works just fine. I prefer to use an OCB strap and buckle to save weight, bulk, and the noise of setup.

Their climbing system certainly is a very lightweight and less bulky option.

 

[Jtaylor]

Be careful and take your time on those steps when your feet are muddy and/or there's frost! They're slicker than snot.

 

[pathing]

Be careful and take your time on those steps when your feet are muddy and/or there's frost! They're slicker than snot.

Also a total saddle noob building confidence, using the Silent Approach steps & ring.

Yesterday morning I had some brand new rubber boots on (LaCrosse Alphaburly Pro) and slipped from the morning dew on my first step. Got an airhole in my crappy jeans now. Thankfully no holes in anything skin-related.

Other than wet undersoles I think my problem was I set my steps too far apart and wiggled at an odd angle stepping up.

 

[Petrichor]

Took these out for a full height sit and I really am liking them. I have some added thoughts I’ll post up later.