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Strap on Steps as a Climing Method

Letemgrowitllshow

Letemgrowitllshow

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2018
Messages
1,311
Location
Saint Francis MN
Anybody using strap on steps as a climbing method?

I've tried sticks, WE steps, and the hand climber top. I want to be able to fit everything in a backpack. I'd go with bolts but can't on the public here. I keep thinking this is the method I want to do, but rarely hear about someone doing it. It would be light, packable, and you'd be able to put a step wherever it needs to be. 10-12 strap on steps could be a little time consuming at first, but with practice, should get easier and smoother.

Is there something I'm not seeing here?


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It would be nice to have something small and simple that wasn’t limited to tree type. I really liked the WE stepps at first but the last time I used them I was onto a really nice buck and where I had to setup on him there was one tree that I knew I had to be in and the darn things just would not set on that trees bark. I immediately thought to myself “this would never happen with my climbing sticks” and I put them up for sale shortly after.

I’m really comfortable with climbing sticks but it was nice to be able to carry everything in a small backpack. Years ago I tried the Cranford rope steps and could never get them tight enough. They were an accident waiting to happen for me. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong and there was no saddle hunting forums in those days.

Tried climb paws. Worked ok but were still a little too bulky.
 
I am thinking about 3 squirrels steps and a 6 step aider
I would not want to carry and attach 12 steps


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Ontariofarmer said:
I am thinking about 3 squirrels steps and a 6 step aider
I would not want to carry and attach 12 steps


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Click to expand...
I like the idea! But I'm not fond of aiders. I practiced quite a bit in the yard early in the season, and decided they werent something I'd want to rely on in the dark when I'm deep in the public.

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You could repel down
I have used 6 step for two years so I am used to them

Bolts and spurs seem best if you can use them
I can’t use them on public ground


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Last edited:
I've done it with cranford. The logistics on the way down suck. Part of that might be step specific, but it's a whole lot of unstrapping and stowing.
 
Ontariofarmer said:
You could repel down
I have used 6 step for two years so I am used to them

Bolts and spurs seem best if you can use them
I can’t use them on public ground


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Click to expand...
I know I'm gonna be a lot more liberal trying things now that I have a rappel/srt setup. always have a good way down, and I'd feel a lot better going in blind with the combo of SRT and aider-heavy climb than with either alone. Let the tree dictate the details.
 
Letemgrowitllshow said:
Anybody using strap on steps as a climbing method?

I've tried sticks, WE steps, and the hand climber top. I want to be able to fit everything in a backpack. I'd go with bolts but can't on the public here. I keep thinking this is the method I want to do, but rarely hear about someone doing it. It would be light, packable, and you'd be able to put a step wherever it needs to be. 10-12 strap on steps could be a little time consuming at first, but with practice, should get easier and smoother.

Is there something I'm not seeing here?


Sent from my LG-M327 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


Just curious what you didn’t like about the hand climber top? I was actually considering it when you had it up for sale. I’ve been reluctant to get one because I’m not sure about negotiating tree limbs. I don’t always have the luxury of a straight limbless tree.
 
Wlog said:
Just curious what you didn’t like about the hand climber top? I was actually considering it when you had it up for sale. I’ve been reluctant to get one because I’m not sure about negotiating tree limbs. I don’t always have the luxury of a straight limbless tree.
Click to expand...
That was exactly my hold up. In the "off season" scouting I've been doing I have found 1 spot that I can use the climber top. The rest of the spots the climber top would be a nightmare to use because of all the limbs and splits. Other than tree selection, its an awesome method! Im just looking for something that I can trust 100% for all my scouting spots and going in blind

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Letemgrowitllshow said:
That was exactly my hold up. In the "off season" scouting I've been doing I have found 1 spot that I can use the climber top. The rest of the spots the climber top would be a nightmare to use because of all the limbs and splits. Other than tree selection, its an awesome method! Im just looking for something that I can trust 100% for all my scouting spots and going in blind

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Click to expand...
This is what always brings me back to sticks.... haven’t found a tree worth climbing I couldn’t get in with sticks.... wasted a lot of time and $$ trying other methods only to say to myself.... just use sticks dummy!
 
N1ChBryant said:
This is what always brings me back to sticks.... haven’t found a tree worth climbing I couldn’t get in with sticks.... wasted a lot of time and $$ trying other methods only to say to myself.... just use sticks dummy!
Click to expand...

So much bulk...and a big pain once the diameter gets much over a couple feet. Bolts are a more universal...where legal. You wouldn't be wasting that money if sticks didnt suck.
 
I've got sticks and silent approach steps. Sticks are faster but cumbersome and heavier. SA steps are lighter and extremely packable but they take a little more time. I think I could get faster w them w practice. They pack good too but the fanny pack they come in are junk. Definitely replace that.
 
mattsteg said:
So much bulk...and a big pain once the diameter gets much over a couple feet. Bolts are a more universal...where legal. You wouldn't be wasting that money if sticks didnt suck.
Click to expand...
I spent all that $$ looking for less bulk as it is a pain hauling them in and out. For me sticks are just easier, faster and safer.
 
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