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The Sladder… ABSOLUTE BEST Climbing method

The second batch of Sladders shipped out today. If you have not received a notification that your Sladder has shipped, it should ship this coming Friday 10/13. We are expecting our largest shipment of Sladders this Friday so all current orders should get filled. The preorder sale ends Friday 10/13 so order your Sladder before the sale ends.
 
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Started playing with mine yesterday evening after work and supper etc. so I didn’t have much light left. I got the daisy chains attached, the system stretched out as directed in his excellent YT video and climbed just a bit with it. So far so good. I will admit it will take a little bit of practice to be able to use all of the “rungs” of the Sladder given how close the top couple sit to the trunk. There are so many rungs though it may take me more moves or iterations than three or four like @greyskwerrel shows but I have a lot more practice to do. Not for anything else so far except foot positioning on the upper two “rungs.” I will say too if you’re going to order one and plan on using larger diameter trees, get the daisy chain extensions.
 
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Alrighty, so I've had some time to play with this and think about it, and I'm sold! Initially, I was kinda upset that I have the 8' (I can touch about 7'6" with my fingertips) and wished I had the 7' that I originally ordered (and switched at the recommendation of @grayskwerel). Now I'm pretty happy with the 8' for a few various personal reasons, with the primary reason being the slack in the system after the first move is made. I still wish that I had a 7' to test next to it, but I'm not buying another one yet just to test. I can see this becoming my primary method based on efficiency and packability. I have yet to test on a tree like a hickory or one with many branches (but those pose lineman's belt issues anyway, so not a deal-breaker). I have only climbed with the extensions on, whether I needed them or not, and I've tested on both size trees, and I've had no issues. However, I do wish that I had a single set of 5' daisy chains (which would cover +90% of my climbing) and maybe a 2-2.5' set of extensions. Very well built and functioning! You will want to be comfortable and trust your saddle before I would recommend these without reservation to anyone, but these will probably replace my WEI Stepps as my go-to for "scout hunts" where I don't know where I'm going to end up. Kudos to @grayskwerel!
 
bowhunthard88 said:
Alrighty, so I've had some time to play with this and think about it, and I'm sold! Initially, I was kinda upset that I have the 8' (I can touch about 7'6" with my fingertips) and wished I had the 7' that I originally ordered (and switched at the recommendation of @grayskwerel). Now I'm pretty happy with the 8' for a few various personal reasons, with the primary reason being the slack in the system after the first move is made. I still wish that I had a 7' to test next to it, but I'm not buying another one yet just to test. I can see this becoming my primary method based on efficiency and packability. I have yet to test on a tree like a hickory or one with many branches (but those pose lineman's belt issues anyway, so not a deal-breaker). I have only climbed with the extensions on, whether I needed them or not, and I've tested on both size trees, and I've had no issues. However, I do wish that I had a single set of 5' daisy chains (which would cover +90% of my climbing) and maybe a 2-2.5' set of extensions. Very well built and functioning! You will want to be comfortable and trust your saddle before I would recommend these without reservation to anyone, but these will probably replace my WEI Stepps as my go-to for "scout hunts" where I don't know where I'm going to end up. Kudos to @grayskwerel!
Click to expand...
I am happy that you like the system. Thank you for the feedback regarding the daisy chains, it is very much appreciated.
 
bowhunthard88 said:
Alrighty, so I've had some time to play with this and think about it, and I'm sold! Initially, I was kinda upset that I have the 8' (I can touch about 7'6" with my fingertips) and wished I had the 7' that I originally ordered (and switched at the recommendation of @grayskwerel). Now I'm pretty happy with the 8' for a few various personal reasons, with the primary reason being the slack in the system after the first move is made. I still wish that I had a 7' to test next to it, but I'm not buying another one yet just to test. I can see this becoming my primary method based on efficiency and packability. I have yet to test on a tree like a hickory or one with many branches (but those pose lineman's belt issues anyway, so not a deal-breaker). I have only climbed with the extensions on, whether I needed them or not, and I've tested on both size trees, and I've had no issues. However, I do wish that I had a single set of 5' daisy chains (which would cover +90% of my climbing) and maybe a 2-2.5' set of extensions. Very well built and functioning! You will want to be comfortable and trust your saddle before I would recommend these without reservation to anyone, but these will probably replace my WEI Stepps as my go-to for "scout hunts" where I don't know where I'm going to end up. Kudos to @grayskwerel!
Click to expand...

If you had the 7 ft, the sladder would be stretched out to tree and tighter against it. You kind of want that extra slack in the 8 ft. It will allow you to get that first step further away from the tree. Which is key. The further you can get the first couple steps away from the tree the more foot room you have on the top couple steps. Also, I built 5 ft daisy chains and it's money.
 
So I climbed again tonight after work. Three movements up. I was quite surprised at how high I got so quickly. I think it’s slightly quieter than one sticking. Still trying to perfect the foot positioning but honestly, I’m using maybe three or four steps at the most and I am really liking it. I’m finding is it definitely important to get that daisy chain angle so the hook releases easier. Out of three movements the hook gave me o Lt slighly a bit of trouble releasing once. I keep
Playing @grayskwerel’s videos to identify little nuances and it’s important to listen and do what he demonstrates.

Once up I hung out for a few minutes and tethered up. Foot in stirrups. Once you’re tethered in and all of your weight isn’t on the stirrups they actually make a very decent quick hunt platform and I was very comfortable. I could easily shoot 180 and possible 270 out of them just sitting n my saddle. My go to hunting saddle is the CGM Sidewinder but tonight I used a Notch Double D it has a ridged two panel butt-board I call it. I was very comfortable hanging in the stirrups. I’m really liking it so far. I also realized that besides the foot positioning to bring the rungs out further from the tree at start up to give you enough offset to use three two four rungs, it’s also important to keep adjusting your LB closer and then back out when positioning to
Climb
Closer to adjust the top part of the sladdder as high as you can reach.
 
grayskwerel said:
I am happy that you like the system. Thank you for the feedback regarding the daisy chains, it is very much appreciated.
Click to expand...
The daisy chain lengths are very subjective and I believe everyone will not be happy with any one given length, as it all depends on the average tree size for your area and/or climbing preference. I think offering two or three different lengths is the only way to guarantee the "perfect" daily chain length haha! A 7, 5', 3.5', and 2' would cover everything (I would personally end up with a 5' and a 2', because if I can't reach around the trunk, I'm using SRT or picking another tree)...
 
woodsdog2 said:
So I climbed again tonight after work. Three movements up. I was quite surprised at how high I got so quickly. I think it’s slightly quieter than one sticking. Still trying to perfect the foot positioning but honestly, I’m using maybe three or four steps at the most and I am really liking it. I’m finding is it definitely important to get that daisy chain angle so the hook releases easier. Out of three movements the hook gave me o Lt slighly a bit of trouble releasing once. I keep
Playing @grayskwerel’s videos to identify little nuances and it’s important to listen and do what he demonstrates.

Once up I hung out for a few minutes and tethered up. Foot in stirrups. Once you’re tethered in and all of your weight isn’t on the stirrups they actually make a very decent quick hunt platform and I was very comfortable. I could easily shoot 180 and possible 270 out of them just sitting n my saddle. My go to hunting saddle is the CGM Sidewinder but tonight I used a Notch Double D it has a ridged two panel butt-board I call it. I was very comfortable hanging in the stirrups. I’m really liking it so far. I also realized that besides the foot positioning to bring the rungs out further from the tree at start up to give you enough offset to use three two four rungs, it’s also important to keep adjusting your LB closer and then back out when positioning to
Climb
Closer to adjust the top part of the sladdder as high as you can reach.
Click to expand...
Managing the LB length IS key to this system's efficiency, and I find that utilizing a LB chafe sleeve (which I have for a few years) with a good directional hitch definitely benefits you here. I found also that using the 2nd step up from the bottom to start will benefit you slightly for foot room; and I don't use the last step, but instead step up to the stirrups directly from the 2nd step from the top. In order to release well, I leave the daisy chain one loop looser than is actually necessary (as previously noted); and once pulled up to release, I find that stabilizing the left side and dropping the right side first is a benefit. I currently haven't had any major issues on release that would be detrimental to a hunt... The stirrups are actually really comfortable, but I will be using a platform vs. the Sladder to hunt off of, although you could absolutely use the Sladder. If I were to hunt off of the Sladder itself, I would be using the bottom as my platform vs. the top, if that makes any sense...
 
Another way to potentially use the sladder at height - the stirrups would work great as a rifle rest.

Or position them above your platform or ring of steps to give you a slightly elevated place to rest feet to take a break.


Also,

@grayskwerel my kid is mesmerized by your voice.

IMG_9577.jpeg

This captured my attention enough, gotta give it a shot this weekend.
 
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Man,

I climbed one tree to test it out and hang a camera.

I have a little work to do to get my big ole feet on there far enough and steady in the dark.

But I’m at 14-15’ in about 3 minutes.

Add my top JX3 stick and a single step aider and I’m huntjng at 17-18’ in less than 5 minutes, and don’t have to rappel.

It’s got some potential.
 
kyler1945 said:
Man,

I climbed one tree to test it out and hang a camera.

I have a little work to do to get my big ole feet on there far enough and steady in the dark.

But I’m at 14-15’ in about 3 minutes.

Add my top JX3 stick and a single step aider and I’m huntjng at 17-18’ in less than 5 minutes, and don’t have to rappel.

It’s got some potential.
Click to expand...
Why no rappel? You Sladder down?

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
 
kyler1945 said:
Man,

I climbed one tree to test it out and hang a camera.

I have a little work to do to get my big ole feet on there far enough and steady in the dark.

But I’m at 14-15’ in about 3 minutes.

Add my top JX3 stick and a single step aider and I’m huntjng at 17-18’ in less than 5 minutes, and don’t have to rappel.

It’s got some potential.
Click to expand...
I do rappel, but this will become my primary climbing method for the moment lol.
 
Spent a couple hours scouting yesterday, and hanging a handful of cameras.

I have to say, if nothing else, my sladder is now my scouting/camera hanging climbing method.

I can get my hands at 15-18' in 2-3 minutes. No rappel needed.

I have a feeling I'll be using it a lot to climb. Getting more used to getting my feet in the rungs quicker and smoother.
 
kyler1945 said:
Spent a couple hours scouting yesterday, and hanging a handful of cameras.

I have to say, if nothing else, my sladder is now my scouting/camera hanging climbing method.
That’s exactly my stage with it as well.
I can get my hands at 15-18' in 2-3 minutes. No rappel needed.

I have a feeling I'll be using it a lot to climb. Getting more used to getting my feet in the rungs quicker and smoother.
Click to expand...

That’s exactly my stage with it as well!!
 
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