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The “Button Runner”. A 0.8 oz silent step attachment. **EDIT** read warning

M

mtsrunner

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2019
Messages
1,613
WARNING.

For entertainment purposes only!!

The Loop Alien XL in my second video below is NOT approved for supporting human weight. The newest version of this product is also thinner Titanium, therefore not as strong as the ones that I am using.
Don’t do what I do. Take my ideas and make them better, safer and easier to use.

I can climb over 20’ with a total weight of around 1.5 pounds (depending on step used), while remaining tethered the whole time. I never have to swing to the side of the tree or even put my knees against the tree (the things I don’t like about one sticking).

This is my own creation that combines a daisy chain and my own ‘button knot’ similar to an improved soft shackle. All from one continuous piece of Amsteel.

It is easily connected, disconnected and adjusted while at height.

For those who still like Ameristeps, Bullman Silent Approach Steps, the new Treehopper steps or even Climb Paws. This works great for climbing (stepping straight down on step), not so much for side pressure. You shouldn’t be applying side pressure when climbing anyway.

It works for EWO squirrel steps, but not as well due to their narrow width and design. I do have a sub-1 ounce solution for squirrel steps that also features no moving parts. Stay tuned.

Anyway, I have digressed. I use a 48” Dyneema sling as a CAYG aider. I’m traveling for work, but I can demo this and someone can video at the Greater Carolinas event Saturday.

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I'm in for the vid. I will understand better once i see it. also, I love new ideas. Thanks for sharing.
 
Look forward to seeing this in action




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Really interested in the SS version. I like the ocbs but they are hard to completely cover with stealth strips. I get little clanks here and there that I would like to avoid, plus they would pack down even smaller without the buckles.
 
Interested, I just picked up some SS and already had some silent approach steps.
 
I won’t be able to get pics/videos of the squirrel step solution until this weekend. It’s a lot easier to make than the button runner, but might wear out the Amsteel faster. Definitely needs more testing.
 
Can’t wait for the vid. Wish I were smart enough to come up with ideas like this.
 
Patriot said:
Can’t wait for the vid. Wish I were smart enough to come up with ideas like this.
Click to expand...

Ha! I don’t know how smart it is. I’d love to know how many hours I’ve spent on my great ideas that turned out to suck.

Anyway, both of these ideas I am trying out are really just things I have tried out while trying to find lightweight ways to hang hammocks and tarps. Hammock camping and elevated hunting have a ton of crossover applications.
 
I like it, I tried doing something like this with the old aluminum steps, and felt like I needed to get them tighter. I bet the Ameristeps are the most forgiving of those steps you listed, is that your experience?
 
BCHunter said:
I like it, I tried doing something like this with the old aluminum steps, and felt like I needed to get them tighter. I bet the Ameristeps are the most forgiving of those steps you listed, is that your experience?
Click to expand...

So far, yes the wide diameter of the Ameristeps seems to help with this design.
 
Silent Approach steps flip over horribly even with the cam buckle, given the design. I have 16 of them that I hardly every use. Given my experience with those steps, I can't imagine it working for those steps unless you have vastly superior climbing skills compared to me (which is possible!).
 
raisins said:
Silent Approach steps flip over horribly even with the cam buckle, given the design. I have 16 of them that I hardly every use. Given my experience with those steps, I can't imagine it working for those steps unless you have vastly superior climbing skills compared to me (which is possible!).
Click to expand...

I will find out soon. I have 8 of them coming.
 
raisins said:
Sorry to be blunt, but then why did you recommend this method for them prior to any testing?
Click to expand...

No worries. I will eat crow if they don’t work. The SA steps should work even better than the type of design shared by squirrel, Ameristeps and Treehopper due to physics.
 
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