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Video transitioning from climbing sticks to platform?

tibolli

tibolli

New Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2018
Messages
32
Location
South Central PA
I have seen several posts that discuss transitioning from climbing up the tree with sticks to getting on the platform. Apparently, it is recommend to attach the tether to the tree and to the bridge of the harness before stepping onto the platform. Does anyone have a video of this transition? It seems that every video I have seen seems to skip this step.
 
I hook into my tether before I even hang the stand/platform, same process whether I am in a full size treestand or mini-treestand/platform/"positioning device". Tie in, hang stand, climb on, adjust tension, it's rather simple.
 
elk yinzer said:
I hook into my tether before I even hang the stand/platform, same process whether I am in a full size treestand or mini-treestand/platform/"positioning device". Tie in, hang stand, climb on, adjust tension, it's rather simple.
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I agree it does seem pretty simple, but why not use the lineman's belt to get onto the platform? I guess you would fall further with the lineman's belt than with the tether if something were to happen.
 
tibolli said:
I agree it does seem pretty simple, but why not use the lineman's belt to get onto the platform? I guess you would fall further with the lineman's belt than with the tether if something were to happen.
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Sometimes I use both if it is sketchy and I want that extra balance a linemans can provide. But you don't really want to fall on a linemans, trust me is is painful, and more risky than a secured tie in. In small trees a linemans may not even catch at all. The transition to the stand is the most likely time to fall, I want as much safety as I can get.
 
I ain’t trying to persuade no one to not use their lineman’s belt but if you think it is gonna keep you from falling down a tree you are gonna be painfully wrong.Not saying it’s not better than nothing just saying you shouldn’t get a false since of security.Practice your routine and be careful
 
Buckhole75 said:
I ain’t trying to persuade no one to not use their lineman’s belt but if you think it is gonna keep you from falling down a tree you are gonna be painfully wrong.Not saying it’s not better than nothing just saying you shouldn’t get a false since of security.Practice your routine and be careful
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I agree with you.
 
Buckhole75 said:
I ain’t trying to persuade no one to not use their lineman’s belt but if you think it is gonna keep you from falling down a tree you are gonna be painfully wrong.Not saying it’s not better than nothing just saying you shouldn’t get a false since of security.Practice your routine and be careful
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I completely, 1000% disagree.
It’s kept me from falling Twice.

I fell until my linesman caught on a step and I came to an instant stop. Yep painful. But falling down the next 20 ft would have been much, much worse.

Please guys wear every safety device available to you and use it correctly.




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A linesmans belt is not fall protection but it will stop you eventually if it’s properly adjusted. It works better if you lean back and use your crotch to assist braking instead of doing the natural thing and trying to grab at the tree. The main problem is unlike using spurs there are a lot of sharp edges on sticks and steps you may collide with or be impaled upon before you come to a stop.
 
You saying that you have stopped falling with your lineman’s belt twice just backs that you should practice your routine more.I was more addressing guys climbing with hooks which should be in a different thread.My Bad.Fact is hunting this way should only be done by guys at a certain level of physical ability.And most definitely not by guys who are careless.Hell what would I know I just climb in a lineman’s belt every day for a living.
 
Buckhole75 said:
You saying that you have stopped falling with your lineman’s belt twice just backs that you should practice your routine more.I was more addressing guys climbing with hooks which should be in a different thread.My Bad.Fact is hunting this way should only be done by guys at a certain level of physical ability.And most definitely not by guys who are careless.Hell what would I know I just climb in a lineman’s belt every day for a living.
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Lol. I’m sure your the best climber in the world and know everything about climbing because you do it everyday. .
Im proud that you have never slipped.
I’ve practiced my climbing plenty.
I didn’t know I wasn’t allowed to disagree with you. My bad.
Calling me careless and out of shape. Ain’t you cute.
Accidents happen that’s why everyone is concerned with safety.
Note to self don’t disagree with “buckhole”


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Buckhole75 said:
You saying that you have stopped falling with your lineman’s belt twice just backs that you should practice your routine more.I was more addressing guys climbing with hooks which should be in a different thread.My Bad.Fact is hunting this way should only be done by guys at a certain level of physical ability.And most definitely not by guys who are careless.Hell what would I know I just climb in a lineman’s belt every day for a living.
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You can practice all you want but sometimes stuff happens. Something might break, you might slip or any number of things could go wrong. Some of which can be out of your control. If you are that good then you shouldnt need a linemans belt according to your theory? Safety first. Its gonna hurt falling/sliding with a linemans belt but Ill take that over the sudden stop from 20 feet.
 
If you will look again Not once did I say not to use your lineman’s belt.What was said was not to let it develop you a false since of security causing you not to practice as you should.Dont know you at all fella but I do know that most guys who fall climbing into stands of any kind with any method fall into the categories I mentioned.Not all but most.The statement was not made to offend you at all.If it did I am sorry.But as far as my statement on the lineman’s belt for fall protection I stand by it.If you were lucky enough that you rotated far enough around the tree for it to catch on a step twice you are fortunate because you just as easily could have come to the ground hitting your crotch or your face on every stick on the way down.The lineman’s belt is a work positioning device not a fall restraint.As far as disagreeing with me That’s cool.You won’t offend me at all.A man without an opinion ain’t much of a man.Thats just my opinion.
 
tibolli said:
I agree it does seem pretty simple, but why not use the lineman's belt to get onto the platform? I guess you would fall further with the lineman's belt than with the tether if something were to happen.
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While probably more noticeable with a larger hang on tree stand than something as small as the Predator, it isn't ideal to use your lineman's belt while transitioning to your platform because in order to get the lineman's belt all the way around the platform, you have to loosen it quite a bit. It is not an easy task to get your lineman's belt around the width of the tree and platform and climb up onto the platform at the same time. In addition, if there was a malfunction with the platform or strap, your lineman's belt would have a lot of slack in it probably resulting in a very uncomfortable catch/fall. It is a little difficult to explain. I recommend trying it at ground level. You'll see what I mean....I think.
 
@Country you are correct in that if you loosened your linesmans belt enough to go around a tree stand it would be a terrible fall. It’s possible to set the platform below your linesmans rope eliminating that issue but it’s still a good idea to hook in your tether.

@Buckhole75 I literally had to move my linesmans belt around every step on the way down last weekend. If the tree isn’t too big I want my tree bolts at about 4:00 and 8:00 on the tree. That way if I lose my balance and grab at a bolt I’m not pulling it out of a tree.
I’m not questioning your expertise and am not sure of what your daily use of linesmans belt entails. The ropes most of us use grip the tree better than most arborist ropes with a steel core or stiffened flat webbing. They actually twist causing them to shorten and become tighter as you are sliding down.
As far as carelessness that’s subjective. Some could say climbing 30’ in the dark on webbing aiders and stepps or 24” long sticks in the dark into a tree you have never seen in daylight would be careless. Some would just call it Saturday morning. There’s a reasonable amount of risk in everything we do. Most things we enjoy increase that risk. Then again we can sit in our recliner and die of septicemia because we are scared if we get up to go to the bathroom we’ll fall and break a hip.
 
EricS said:
@Country you are correct in that if you loosened your linesmans belt enough to go around a tree stand it would be a terrible fall. It’s possible to set the platform below your linesmans rope eliminating that issue but it’s still a good idea to hook in your tether.

@Buckhole75 I literally had to move my linesmans belt around every step on the way down last weekend. If the tree isn’t too big I want my tree bolts at about 4:00 and 8:00 on the tree. That way if I lose my balance and grab at a bolt I’m not pulling it out of a tree.
I’m not questioning your expertise and am not sure of what your daily use of linesmans belt entails. The ropes most of us use grip the tree better than most arborist ropes with a steel core or stiffened flat webbing. They actually twist causing them to shorten and become tighter as you are sliding down.
As far as carelessness that’s subjective. Some could say climbing 30’ in the dark on webbing aiders and stepps or 24” long sticks in the dark into a tree you have never seen in daylight would be careless. Some would just call it Saturday morning. There’s a reasonable amount of risk in everything we do. Most things we enjoy increase that risk. Then again we can sit in our recliner and die of septicemia because we are scared if we get up to go to the bathroom we’ll fall and break a hip.
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You make a great point about attaching platform below your lineman's belt. Didn't think of that.
 
One thing I would add when it comes to transitioning, is having three points of SOLID contact. I am not talking about you tether or lineman's belt. I am talking about your hands and feet. When I transition to a platform I stop and make sure that one foot and two hands are on solid ground. Meaning zero chance of slippage. You guys are about to say that there is no such thing as zero chance....you are correct. But taking that extra moment to make sure those three points are well planted/holding something, then if one of the three fails, you still should not fall.

The secret is to stop, think, plant one foot solidly then grab whatever you need to with your hands and make sure it will not break or slip. Once all three are secure you move swiftly.

And if my move is sketchy for whatever reason, I tether prior to getting on a platform. But I should not have any sketchy moves anymore because I am going with a ring of steps :)


Pete
 
For years, I have always used my LB while setting platform (ring of steps or screw-ins depending on location). I’ve always thought it was in the way at times, but never had situations where I felt uncomfortable or unsafe (I’ll just count my blessings). Now that I’m getting older and my monkey skills are lessening, I’m finding that I rely on my LB to assist more. I have also used it many time to hang stands for those I hunt with that don’t use a saddle (I know...right?!?!?!). LB is always in the way when I’m doing this. Last weekend, I started thinking, why not use my tether to hang while I’m doing this. That way, my LB doesn’t end up trapped behind the vertical post on the stand, and I’m not fighting it while trying to hang the dang thing in the first place.

Holy cow!!! Why didn’t I think about using my tether years ago!?!?!? I was able to tie it in (still using 2007 TL Tree Saddle w/original tether) well above where the stand would be, and it wasn’t in the way at all. Then I just hopped up onto the stand to test it all while tethered to the tree. Before, I would have had to pull out my secondary LB to hook up above the stand, and then unhook the main LB that always ends up trapped by the stand. I’ve always made it work, but I’m suddenly seeing the benefits of using a tether when it makes sense.

Also, I’m in the process of ordering rope and Ropeman 1 (x2) for new LB and tether.


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I'm going to do a video demonstrating how to properly set a platform. I use a rubber gear tie to assist me and it makes the world of difference.
 
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