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Who Wants Nothing To Do With One Sticking?

kyler1945 said:
TL;DR All climbing methods are just about the same when viewed in proper context. People don't typically view them in the proper context. The variable that matters most is hidden in the profile of the climber/hunter/style of hunting - not the climbing method used. Study yourself and your habits.





These conversations/debates always end up being circular. We all lack the proper context and perspective to compare with each other. This is why I always try to broaden the questions being asked.

Folks seem to hone in on one negative or positive about equipment, or conflate certain aspects with other unrelated equipment/methods.

I try to think about climbing methods the following way:

I consider all aspects of a climbing method.

- How much does it cost compared to other methods, and in the context of my own budget?
- If it has any complexity to it, or moving parts, how accessible is service and replacements?
- How much does it weigh?
- How well does it pack for scouting, hunting, packing out with deer parts added to the mix ( l like to make one trip in, one trip out when possible)?
- How much time does it take me to learn to use the equipment/method compared to other equipment/methods?
- How much risk do I incur compared to other equipment/methods, in the context of my whole hunting experience?
- How much time/effort does it take me to prepare the stuff to go hunting, comparatively?
- How much time/effort does it take me to walk in with the stuff, comparatively?
- How much time/effort does it take to unpack and prepare the stuff to start climbing, comparatively?
- How much time/effort does it take to climb up with the stuff, comparatively?
- How much time/effort does it take to prepare the stuff to start climbing down, comparatively?
- How much time/effort does it take to climb down with the stuff, comparatively?
- How much time/effort does it take to pack up the stuff to walk out, comparatively?
- How much time/effort does it take to walk out with the stuff, comparatively?
- How much time/effort/space does it take to store the stuff at home, comparatively?

If that seems insane, it is. I'm single, don't have kids, have disposable income, and like to hunt and play with hunting gear.

What I've found, is that when you do this analysis, ALL climbing methods become indecipherable from each other, with all variables held constant but the climbing method. What does change, is the weight that each individual person applies to each of the above aspects.

I'm personally happy that no one really thinks about this stuff in any great detail. Why? It's the reason we have such an awesome classifieds section. People buy stuff because one guy says one aspect of a piece of equipment makes it a game changer. 50 people buy it immediately, and then regret doing so, because they lacked the context of their own hunting situations/styles. They end up selling it at a good discount.

But here are some things that might clear up some of the conversation about using a single stick to climb:

Single stick climbing, conceptually, is different from using multiple sticks, in two ways - you only have one stick, and your feet are not on a stick when you attach the "next" stick.

Complaints about noise, complexity, etc. are absurd in my opinion. But I can see how they come up from folks who aren't thinking about the problem properly. Attaching a stick to a tree makes the same amount of noise, whether it is one stick being reused, or a second stick. If you make too much noise while repositioning the stick, it's because you're not experienced enough doing it, not flexible or strong enough to execute it, or some random thing during your climb causes it. That doesn't make one stick climbing noisy, it makes you noisy. Complaints about complexity make no sense. You're attaching a stick to a tree 2-6 times, the same as you would when you use multiple sticks. Yes, you add advancing a tether, and reaching down for a stick. Guess what? You take away the need for removing sticks if you rappel down. And even if you don't, you eliminate the noise/effort of unpacking and packing up, and climbing up and down with multiple sticks.

Much of the issues brought up regarding stability, leaning trees, risk, etc. seem to center on aiders. Guess what - you can single stick without aiders. Or shorter ones. But the issue isn't single stick climbing, it's aiders, and your relationship to them. However, if you're comparing climbing multiple sticks to a single stick, but both have, or don't have aiders, you've eliminated that variable from the picture. If you are comparing it to some completely different climbing method, all the other factors above come back into play, and the total sum difference disappears. See a trend here?

One complaint I see a lot is the time needed to become proficient with the method, compared to others. One could make the argument that folks should be spending a lot more time thinking about, practicing, and perfecting even the simplest of climbing methods. Just because you CAN be mindless about attaching multiple sticks to a tree, or using a climbing platform (that doesn't exist commercially today), doesn't mean you should. It shows a lack of understanding of risk, as well as an incomplete comparison to the other methods being considered.

Another issue that gets talked about in a weird way, is the fact that all youtube videos of climbing methods are on straight, limbless trees. People rightly intuit that climbing a leaning tree, or one with branches, is more difficult/time consuming/risky than climbing a straight one with no branches. What they get wrong is neglecting to consider that ALL climbing methods get more difficult/time consuming/risky with a leaner/branches. When you consider the delta between climbing a straight/limbless versus leaning/limbed for a single climbing method, it leaves out important context. You have to take that delta, and plug it into the multivariate analysis above. What you find is that the time/effort/risk delta is largely swallowed up by the total difference across all of those other important factors.


You can compare this to the silly heavy/light fixed/mechanical debate on arrows. Same issues.


If you're thinking about trying one stick climbing - it is going to be better or worse than what you're currently using to climb. That's a fact. However, it will likely be much less better or worse than you have in your head. Only you can determine this, and it can only be determined through a pretty thorough analysis.

If you're thinking about getting away from one stick climbing, any other method will definitely be better or worse. That's a fact. However, it will likely be much less better or worse than you have in your head. Only you can determine this, and it can only be determined through a pretty thorough analysis.
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I like how thought out this is.clearly a gear junky with ocd.thats what it takes some times.its worth reading more than once.you can compare the different things you have tried and want to as you go down the list.other factors would be how far you are going..are you going into a new area blind. unscouted with no setups. what kind of trees are in the area and what percentage of trees have what percentage of branches on the trunk.how fast does the timber change , grow or get cut.how many bear tunnels through the brush do i have to crawl through.what kind of mountain or shail rock cliff will i be climbing. how much exposed metal will you want while getting into a spot and stalk situation.major factors for me since i get sent to work out of town often during season but dont let that stop me from gettin after it.out here bucks like the steepest terain and my side of the state 80 percent of the trees have 80 percent branches up the trunk of the trees in the wilderness.in the valley between farms where hardwood sticks grow with only a couple brances on the trunk any climbing system will work. in relation to your assesment above as you mentioned its basickly preference and skill level. im just trying to add more variables to logic allready well thought out.good post.
 
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Never tried it know nothing about 1 sticking but am I wrong in my assumptions that all this would be very hard to do dressed for long duration or all day sits in extreme cold temps?
I know I experience a significant increase in difficulty ascending all my climbing systems from my sticks to my screw in steps once I was dressed for cold weather hunts. As a matter of fact long ago I learned the hard way the screw in steps installed while wearing clothing and uninsulated work boots for 70* temps will not be all that great when I'm wearing clothing and pack boots for temps 30-60* colder.
Also how well does one sticking work going in cold setting up in the dark on an unfamiliar tree?
 
I’ve been following this thread and now definitely WANT TO try One Sticking.
Trying to determine best rappel rope/ system and which stick I think will be best for me.
Thanks for this thread!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
everestwc said:
I’ve been following this thread and now definitely WANT TO try One Sticking.
Trying to determine best rappel rope/ system and which stick I think will be best for me.
Thanks for this thread!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I just bought 9mm sterling HTP my first time around. I just purchased 9mm canyon to continue this season on. I do love one sticking but I’m still trying to perfect it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
DMTJAGER said:
Never tried it know nothing about 1 sticking but am I wrong in my assumptions that all this would be very hard to do dressed for long duration or all day sits in extreme cold temps?
I know I experience a significant increase in difficulty ascending all my climbing systems from my sticks to my screw in steps once I was dressed for cold weather hunts. As a matter of fact long ago I learned the hard way the screw in steps installed while wearing clothing and uninsulated work boots for 70* temps will not be all that great when I'm wearing clothing and pack boots for temps 30-60* colder.
Also how well does one sticking work going in cold setting up in the dark on an unfamiliar tree?
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I really don't notice much of a difference or increased difficulty when I'm dressed for the late season when I've got my baggy insulated bibs on. I don't climb with a jacket on in the colder temps because I don't want to risk overheating and start to sweat.
As far as going in cold in the dark on an unfamiliar tree, that's my standard MO. One sticking up a tree is the same technique no matter what tree it is, the only difference will be on a multi limbed tree where you'll have to work your tether around them which is simple if you run a delta link. If you practice enough every climb feels the same.
 
One-sticking or million-sticking, why would you climb a tree with all your layers on?

I understand about the boots, and have been outside in arctic weather. My approach would be to walk in/ climb tree being "comfortably cold" then add layers at the top.
 
JakeFromVirginia said:
Seems so dangerous to me. People in YouTube always have slack in their linesman belt or their tether. Horrible idea IMO.
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You can easily pull slack out as you climb. People don’t do it. It’s also a good idea to use a lineman’s belt. People don’t do it. There are ways to do it safely. Just like people not using a lineman’s or lifelines in a treestand and possibly not even a harness. People make their own choices. Most of the time... it’s not the safest choice.... But the easiest or most comfortable choice.
 
smcchevy said:
One-sticking or million-sticking, why would you climb a tree with all your layers on?

I understand about the boots, and have been outside in arctic weather. My approach would be to walk in/ climb tree being "comfortably cold" then add layers at the top.
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How do you add and remove a bib and jacket tethered in a saddle?
 
enkriss said:
How do you add and remove a bib and jacket tethered in a saddle?
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Jacket is easy. The bib thing is why next year I'm going to uninsulated bibs and then carrying in camo down pants that go over top of them.

You might be able to do it somewhat safely with rated waist buckle and leg buckles. Put bibs over boots, keep waist belt attached but release leg loops, pull bibs up until you can resnap leg buckles, loosen but do not remove waist belt, work bibs up to where you want them, retighten waist belt. But that seems like a huge mess.
 
raisins said:
Jacket is easy. The bib thing is why next year I'm going to uninsulated bibs and then carrying in camo down pants that go over top of them.

You might be able to do it somewhat safely with rated waist buckle and leg buckles. Put bibs over boots, keep waist belt attached but release leg loops, pull bibs up until you can resnap leg buckles, loosen but do not remove waist belt, work bibs up to where you want them, retighten waist belt. But that seems like a huge mess.
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Lol, two saddles :tearsofjoy: Pull bibs up, put second saddle on, reconnect:tearsofjoy::tearsofjoy::tearsofjoy:
 
bowhuntr09 said:
Lol, two saddles :tearsofjoy: Pull bibs up, put second saddle on, reconnect:tearsofjoy::tearsofjoy::tearsofjoy:
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Sit drag would be easy because you can run the safety connection from the front of a rock climbing harness through the zipper in bibs. Now, if you fall I don't know how that would be! (atomic wedgie where bibs get pulled funny?)
 
Putting on pants or bibs can be done.. Just take ur time with controlled movements... What is really really hard is taking off rubber boots that are filled with water.... Always dump out ur boots before climbing.. Trust me
 
around 5 years ago i saw a vid of a guy using a lone wolf hand climber on his feet and climbing like a 2 tether system .kind of thought it would make 1 sticking less rellivent.it just seems simpler than both 1 sticking and 2 tethering and you dont need a stick.plus your platform is already setup.just throwin a bone in the spokes for conversation
 
tailgunner said:
around 5 years ago i saw a vid of a guy using a lone wolf hand climber on his feet and climbing like a 2 tether system .kind of thought it would make 1 sticking less rellivent.it just seems simpler than both 1 sticking and 2 tethering and you dont need a stick.plus your platform is already setup.just throwin a bone in the spokes for conversation
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Using the top was pretty big. But...What’s the weight rating of a hand climber top? I have seen several pics of broken ones.
 
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