DOMMA
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2019
- Messages
- 285
I jumped into 1-sticking. Thought I would share my initial thoughts. A little background, I have been saddle hunting for 2 years with close to 100 sits. All my climbing has been with 4 Beast Sticks with 1 aider on the first step. There were three big advantages to 1-sticking in my view:
1. Climb to any height, sometimes it is advantageous to get higher than my 4 sticks allow
2. Carry less weight. I hunt a few locations that require a long hike in and out with difficult terrain. Carrying one 12" stick and rope is a lot easier than carrying four 24" sticks.
3. Rappelling out of the tree, specifically in the dark, is easy and fast
After purchasing all of the gear, I even found a Mad Rock Safeguard, I practiced this weekend. I climbed multiple trees both Saturday and today.
Here is my opinion based on my limited experience and why I will keep my 4 sticks and only 1-stick when necessary.
1. I use my climbing/rappelling rope as my tether. Unless you are using a lineman's rope, there is multiple times during the climb where there is slack in the tether. Wearing a lineman's belt makes one sticking difficult, I tried it many times. Without it, it is difficult to avoid the slack in the tether, which is dangerous.
2. Climbing is pretty easy. It takes a few tries to determine the best height to sit to the side and retrieve your stick. To high and the reach is difficult, to low and progress is slow. Once I got this straight, 4-5 climbs, I could make pretty good progress.
3. Rappelling was surprisingly easy and smooth, no issues at all.
4. Retrieving the rope after the rappel can be difficult. If you have to go around a couple of limbs, it is very difficult to retrieve your rope. The Dynaglide is fine if the tree has a smooth bark and no limbs. Climb a rough tree with limbs and good luck pulling your rope down. In fact, one time I had to use my Beast Sticks to retrieve my rope.
One sticking will be regulated to long hauls or when hunting certain areas where I know I have to get higher than the 17-18 ft. I can get with my Beast Sticks. I will continue to practice and establish a routine so I feel more comfortable in the dark. Regardless of how much I practice, I believe 4 sticks is easier and safer.
1. Climb to any height, sometimes it is advantageous to get higher than my 4 sticks allow
2. Carry less weight. I hunt a few locations that require a long hike in and out with difficult terrain. Carrying one 12" stick and rope is a lot easier than carrying four 24" sticks.
3. Rappelling out of the tree, specifically in the dark, is easy and fast
After purchasing all of the gear, I even found a Mad Rock Safeguard, I practiced this weekend. I climbed multiple trees both Saturday and today.
Here is my opinion based on my limited experience and why I will keep my 4 sticks and only 1-stick when necessary.
1. I use my climbing/rappelling rope as my tether. Unless you are using a lineman's rope, there is multiple times during the climb where there is slack in the tether. Wearing a lineman's belt makes one sticking difficult, I tried it many times. Without it, it is difficult to avoid the slack in the tether, which is dangerous.
2. Climbing is pretty easy. It takes a few tries to determine the best height to sit to the side and retrieve your stick. To high and the reach is difficult, to low and progress is slow. Once I got this straight, 4-5 climbs, I could make pretty good progress.
3. Rappelling was surprisingly easy and smooth, no issues at all.
4. Retrieving the rope after the rappel can be difficult. If you have to go around a couple of limbs, it is very difficult to retrieve your rope. The Dynaglide is fine if the tree has a smooth bark and no limbs. Climb a rough tree with limbs and good luck pulling your rope down. In fact, one time I had to use my Beast Sticks to retrieve my rope.
One sticking will be regulated to long hauls or when hunting certain areas where I know I have to get higher than the 17-18 ft. I can get with my Beast Sticks. I will continue to practice and establish a routine so I feel more comfortable in the dark. Regardless of how much I practice, I believe 4 sticks is easier and safer.