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Single stick aider struggles and questions

C

cmgoff

New Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2019
Messages
22
This fall i made the switch to single sticking and repelling using an offset 5 step aider (cheap one off amazon). I really love this setup for my really long hikes but i still feel really unstable with the aider. I have practiced lots, and i know i'm safe so i'm not worried I'm just on the hunt for a better aider or technique.

My fist question is has anyone compared the stability difference between an offset aider that has a single attachment point to their stick to a ladder style aider that attaches to at two points (left and right step)? My thought is the ladder style maybe more resistant to rotating once your foot is in the loop.

Second questions, has anyone noticed stability difference from one offset aider to another? I know a lot of people use the Black Diamond aider which if it is better ill order it but i cant see how it could be any more stable.

Lastly, any other tips or tricks I'm all ears.
 
I’m sure at this point you’re digging your toe into the tree. That’s the main aider tip.

Next, I’d think about attachment points. With an aider that attaches to either side of a step with 2 attachment points, you won’t be nearly so unstable because your weight will be centered on the two points. Whereas with a single attachment climbing on the outside, you’re more likely to swing because your weight is intrinsically off center. This can’t be helped with an offset aider.


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That's what i was thinking. I have some Amsteel laying around i might whip something up this afternoon to give it a test.
 
Another option is what [mention]Cbigbear [/mention]does (afaik he was the original one-sticker, btw). He uses 2 separate webbing loops, one shorter than the other, and then puts the side of his foot against the tree instead of the toe.

I haven’t tried it because I usually use a 3 step ladder-style aider but plan to give a whirl in the off-season. Like I said, just another option to consider.
 
Not sure of the advantge of a 5 step aider one sticking. I've been one stcking for a while now and find it very simple and stable. I use a stick that's either 10", 14", or 18" ( I have 3 different one sticks). Two of them have a 2 step aider with 22" each spacing on them and the other has a 3 step aider with 16" spacing. I have sewn all three to the bottom step on the outer most slots of my bottom steps, this helps keep them open and oriented correctly. I find the 2 step aider with longer spacing most stable and easy to use. A 5 step aider would not be beneficial to me as I am limited by how high I can go with each move by how high I can reach, not the length or number of steps on my aider. Just food for thought.
 
Squirrels said:
Not sure of the advantge of a 5 step aider one sticking. I've been one stcking for a while now and find it very simple and stable. I use a stick that's either 10", 14", or 18" ( I have 3 different one sticks). Two of them have a 2 step aider with 22" each spacing on them and the other has a 3 step aider with 16" spacing. I have sewn all three to the bottom step on the outer most slots of my bottom steps, this helps keep them open and oriented correctly. I find the 2 step aider with longer spacing most stable and easy to use. A 5 step aider would not be beneficial to me as I am limited by how high I can go with each move by how high I can reach, not the length or number of steps on my aider. Just food for thought.
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Agreed. 2 or 3 step aider is the max needed for 1-sticking.
 
I've been one sticking now going on three seasons. What I have found is that a longer aider does zero to assist you in getting higher into the tree. Once you climb onto your stick from the ground and do your second transition...the 5 step aider is ineffective from the 3rd step down. It is also much more unstable. I tried using a 5 step off set aider and a big wall ladder aider. I found both to be very unstable and will kick out much quicker than a simple two step aider set at 15" apart. I love backwoods gear and had all of my sticks set up with those aiders. I got all three step aiders and if I had to buy again...I'd only get a two step aider. I sold all but 1 of my shikars and kept my muddy pro, and my EWO ultralight sticks. My muddy has a moveable three step aider that is my backup and my go to stick is my EWO with a 2 step aider set at 15" each. When I put my EWO on the three, I set it so that the bottom aider step is about two inches below my knee. I then climb up to the top of my stick and this puts my feet about 5' off the ground. Then I move my rope up to as high as I can reach, sit down in my saddle and then move my stick up. I only move it to where I can put my foot in the loop closest to the bottom step of the stick. Dig my toe into the tree and then climb up. Repeat the process and at this time my feet are at 9-11' from the ground. One more transition and I can be 14-15' and a fourth one I can be 19-22' at foot level. I like to keep my feet about 16-21 feet as that will put my shooting height 20-25' from ground level. When on a side of the hill, the down hill side is even lower and puts my shoot at a steeper angle. Learned that lesson the hard way.
 
I don't use all the steps on my aider now, and the distance between the steps is probably 15"-17". If i made one i would do 3 three steps at 21" and expect i would only use the third when I'm standing on the ground. Also, i never mentioned before i am using a Shikar mini and attaching the aider to the knob for the bottom bracket.

Sounds like i have some more testing to do. Regardless, i love one sticking and i doubt ill go back to carrying my LW sticks.
 
Just following up on this, I did make a 3 step ladder style from Amsteel attaching with two girth hitches, one on each step of my Shikar Mini. There is a noticeable difference in the stability with this type as apposed to the offset aider. while i was testing it i would lean left and right and twist my foot left and right and i could feel the aider trying to pull me back inline. It is still something you have to be careful with and you can definitely kick out.

The biggest negative i have found is that with this type of aider i cannot step up as high as my usual step distance. I built the aider with 21" between steps which is the same distance between steps as my old cable aiders. I think 18" will be more comfortable.
 
cmgoff said:
Just following up on this, I did make a 3 step ladder style from Amsteel attaching with two girth hitches, one on each step of my Shikar Mini. There is a noticeable difference in the stability with this type as apposed to the offset aider. while i was testing it i would lean left and right and twist my foot left and right and i could feel the aider trying to pull me back inline. It is still something you have to be careful with and you can definitely kick out.

The biggest negative i have found is that with this type of aider i cannot step up as high as my usual step distance. I built the aider with 21" between steps which is the same distance between steps as my old cable aiders. I think 18" will be more comfortable.
Click to expand...
Yes I had to adjust my step height for my aider also.
 
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