harold wright
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- Nov 26, 2018
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A 16 pack of wildedge stepps is the best method for me.
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What is easiest way to climb tree in the group opinion.
- Thread starter Wayne K
- Start date
Steps are great, but have a bit of a learning curve to tie and secure then safely.
Sticks are pretty straightforward, strap to a tree and climb. I prefer sticks because I'd rather use 3 sticks than 6 or 7 steps.
That being said, I learned the 1 stick method so I only have to carry a single stick with me.I like to rappel down, because I dont like 1 sticking back down a tree.
figure what works best for you, everyone has their personal preferences. You can always sell extras later on if you dont like it. That's my advice
Sticks are pretty straightforward, strap to a tree and climb. I prefer sticks because I'd rather use 3 sticks than 6 or 7 steps.
That being said, I learned the 1 stick method so I only have to carry a single stick with me.I like to rappel down, because I dont like 1 sticking back down a tree.
figure what works best for you, everyone has their personal preferences. You can always sell extras later on if you dont like it. That's my advice
robstewart
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- Feb 4, 2019
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- 512
robstewart
Well-Known Member
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- Feb 4, 2019
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- 512
If you have that self climber you might try using the base and a tether. It will give you the same setup as using the LWHC but with more bulk and weight.
I have a hawk self climber and did have to move the foot loops closer to the tree to use it with my tether but it worked OK. It also weighs the same as 3 sticks and serves as the hunting platform.
As always, I used a 30’ tether so at the end of the night instead of climbing down I hooked my feet in the straps, disengaged it from the tree and rappelled down in one motion.
The only suggestion I’d make is ensure you ratchet strap it to the tree when you get up there.
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After reading these posts about LWHC with special mods and other things with special mods, I feel great using SRT/ RADS with no special mods. There is a reason experienced climbers of all varieties climb a rope and not the tree. It is far safer, IMHO. People mention SRT is too complicated but I disagree if other methods need special mods to work well. Professional climbing gear is also manufactured to much higher standards than consumer grade sticks or ladders or other climbers, contributing to it's safety.
That’s what drew me to it. Gathering the knowledge though is proving to be a quite the stumbling block. Searching the word “SRT” doesn’t quite work.
Care to share your thoughts on those “presets” you mentioned?
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There are quite a variety of options for SRT so I can see the information being a little daunting if you’re not familiar with climbing, rappelling or arborists work. But, worth the effort in my opinion. I’d recommend finding a local professional to establish your base.
Like BJ said, an SRT Pre set is simply a piece of paracord put in the tree ahead of time so you’re not trying to toss a throw bag over a branch via headlamp.
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- May 23, 2019
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24' fiberglass extension ladder but sucks packing it in.
Just kidding.....i'm 56. I'm on private land with tons of oaks. The spurs aren't bad. I like them. Other than that, I preset in the summer with screw in steps.
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Thanks. I though a pre-set was like a set of items and practices one does to get ready to climb. In my mind, I was envisioning the things one would do to prepare. I knows it’s 2nd nature to you guys, but for s newbie like me, I wonder about things like:
How long should my rope that I use to climb up the tree be?
What knot to use at the loop? (Alpine butterfly? Bowline?)
What length of bridge?
What about a secondary tether, how long, what knot to use (I think prussik).
I appreciate that quite a few of those answers would be personal preference. But it’s a start.
I do plan on enrolling at a local rock climbing gym to learn knots and climbing but will they know the subtle difference with tree climbing? Maybe maybe not. Hope to learn more from you guys here. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
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GetHomeSafe
Active Member
I have climbed with sticks, screw in steps, strap on steps and arborist climbing Spurs. I am 66. If legal in your area Spurs are the best. ClimbRight with ultra light pads under 6#. Modify with nylon straps and plastic buckles under 5#. Less than two sticks. Ready learning curve. Never use without saddle or harness and two safety ropes, in case of limbs. One can become your tether. If you slip you fall about 6". Does not hurt if you slip. If you slip into sticks you can need stitches, even with linesmen belt. Steps are not as bad being off to each side, usually. I have been climbing this way for 35 years.
GetHomeSafe
Active Member
I have climbed with sticks, screw in steps, strap on steps and arborist climbing Spurs. I am 66. If legal in your area Spurs are the best. ClimbRight with ultra light pads under 6#. Modify with nylon straps and plastic buckles under 5#. Less than two sticks. Ready learning curve. Never use without saddle or harness and two safety ropes, in case of limbs. One can become your tether. If you slip you fall about 6". Does not hurt if you slip. If you slip into sticks you can need stitches, even with linesmen belt. Steps are not as bad being off to each side, usually. I have been climbing this way for 35 years. Gives an infinite number of steps and positioning around the tree and any height.
For SRT I’d recommend 40-50 for your main rope. The length you choose really depends on how high you want to hunt and the availability of branches at that height. I have 40’ of Sterling HTP but will buy at least 45’ next time.
The loop at the end of your rappel/SRT rope should be a figure eight on a bight. I back the figure eight up with a double overhand knot.
I use a separate shorter bridge specifically for ascending and rappelling. I use a 24” sewn webbing loop girth hitched to one bridge loop and attached to the other bridge loop with a carabiner. That length works for me but there are other options.
Secondary tether. Once on my platform I transition from to an OpLux tether with Sterling TRC distel hitch. I transfer my weight to this tether and completely disconnect from my ascent/rappel rope.....After the hunt I attach an ATC and Sterling Hollowblock to my rappel rope and my harness. Then I transfer my weight to that system and remove my “hunting tether”. There are many ways to do this, just my preference.
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robstewart
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I use a rock climbing harness and fleece saddle. If I one stick then I just use my rappel rope as my tether. I put a prusik above my safeguard and attach my bride to that and left all my weight into my saddle but stay connected on my safeguard.
When I SRT I sometimes use my lineman rope as a tether for my saddle but still stay connected on my safeguard to my SRT rope. I do this because sometimes the climbing rope isn’t exactly where I want the tether to be based on branches etc.
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Good point about the SRT rope not being exactly where you want your tether. Yet another reason I only use SRT to ascend the tree then transfer over to my regular tether. I don’t always have to reposition my rope for the rappel but do often. In either case it remains out of my way during the hunt.
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wayne r
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- Dec 28, 2018
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I have stuck with DRT because of hunting abroad and having to scale down kit, I still use this method here back home I have 4 pre set platforms set with paracord loops on my home ground, I only have to pull my rope over which I can do now in the dark and climb safely. I have found this minimalist set up easy to get to grips with and a little fine tuning have it to a tee. I could see SRT being great just a couple of extra pieces. what I did find though with DRT is I still use a small tether to get the correct position. The best bit is the rappel down again easy in the dark and steady as you like and for me the safest way to clime or ascend, I tried sticks and wasn't comfortable with having a knee replacement I don't have the bend I used to but maybe I didn't give it enough time, I think there are many ways but each fit a different person for various reasons and you need to find what suits so it may take a little practice,regards wayne
robstewart
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I tried DRT before SRT. I’m not sure how it’s that much more gear and it’s half the rope. I’m glad it works for you though. I have bad strength to weigh lol. I found that using a foot loop and a pulley on my left side work great for my weak ass.
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