Also, if you are worried about weight and packability then check into 2TC also, you already have the lineman's belt and tether, why not just add a foot loop and climb with that?
Also, most people who 1 stick are rappelling down, and 2TC you can rappel down also.
I started with sticks, heavy, easy, lots you can do, plus aiders help. Hawks were a lot lighter and nicer than those muddy sticks.
Switched to WE Stepps, a little lighter, have to learn some new knots, very easy to adjust where you are going up the tree, a little finicky on cam setting, and aiders really get you up a long way.
Switched to Bullman Steps, even lighter, have to remember to alternate step placement, but you can get around a tree easily, no aiders, watch side loading. But I could carry 6 per mag pouch, and if I thought I needed more I still have a set of bags that have 9 each on a shoulder loop. That got me knee high per step very comfortably at around 0.5# per step.
Tried 1 stick, felt I was shuffling back and forth a lot, but it was easy and has no limit on how high you go, easy to maneuver around the tree. Was carrying 2 Tether/Lineman's, and aider, and a short Hawk stick.
Switching this year to 2TC, I will probably carry 3 Tether/Lineman's while doing it to help getting over branches faster but can do it with 2 easily. My wife is using a leg band, I am still not certain it helps me. And we have to bring a 4 ounce foot loop with us. This is also quick to maneuver around the tree and has no height restrictions. I find this less technical than 1 stick and don't feel like I am moving as much in the tree as I am just going up and never reaching under myself to retrieve the stick.
Oh, almost forgot, I tried SRT/DRT a couple of dozen times. I hated throwing the bag up the tree, it was easy enough to do, I just felt it was too much motion in the woods that the deer might see. Tried leaving a preset on a tree, went back the next day and was thinking that presetting really is not practical for me better than 75% of the time. So, I stopped trying it for 1 stick. Then saw 2TC on here and my wife seems more comfortable with it.
Now, getting down with rope technique, 1 stick, or 2 tether climbing is best to just rappel, get a device that allows hands free stopping on the descent rope so you can pull your gear from the tree when done with the hunt.
Next, are you planning on a platform, ring of steps, or something else?
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