• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Why don't yall 2TC?

I definitely will climb smaller trees but when a spot only has a bigger tree what to do.
There maybe smaller trees nearby but just out of range or too dense of brush.

I have one stiked some large trees.
Its slower than a nice telephone pole but the one stik can get it done.
 
I tried something tonight that I've been thinking about lately and it worked out pretty darn good.

I 2TCed down after one-sticking up...

I was already using my foot tether as a pack hanger so I didn't need to pull out any other ropes or descenders or other gear to come down.
It was a pretty straight tree and no limbs to pass on the way down so it was fast.
Pretty good combination!
 
Last edited:
phatkaw said:
I tried something tonight that I've been thinking about lately and it worked out pretty darn good.

I 2TCed down after one-sticking up...

I was already using my foot tether as a pack hanger so I didn't need to pull out any other ropes or descenders gear to come down.
It was a pretty straight tree and no limbs to pass on the way down so it was fast.
Pretty good combination!
Click to expand...
I ditched rappelling and just 2TC down. Less gear and less to gather up at the bottom of the tree.
 
phatkaw said:
I tried something tonight that I've been thinking about lately and it worked out pretty darn good.

I 2TCed down after one-sticking up...

I was already using my foot tether as a pack hanger so I didn't need to pull out any other ropes or descenders gear to come down.
It was a pretty straight tree and no limbs to pass on the way down so it was fast.
Pretty good combination!
Click to expand...
Love it!
 
Hall17 said:
Agreed. Larger trees are not as easy as something smaller
Click to expand...

Yup, would have to have a stiff enough tether(s) that they will stay horizontal when held open around the tree, not flop down and grab the bark while trying to raise it. Think a hula hoop (sp?) that you can raise up the tree without touching it. [mention]Samcirrus [/mention] accomplishes this with some kinda rubber track he puts on the rope.
 
What makes it work for me is having a stiff top tether and a soft foot tether. The top tether is 11.4mm Blue Water Assault line. It is pretty stiff and holds its shape. The foot loop is Predator line. It is only marginally more difficult to climb these big ones than smaller ones. The issue I have been having is just running out of tether LENGTH on these big trees. I plan to make the next top set about a foot to 18 inches longer for this reason.
 
Actually, this tree is a pretty good example. It is in hilly terrain and is situated amongst a bunch of white oaks. When the oaks have acorns, it is a hot spot. Last season I eased in there and set up on the backside of the tree from where i thought the deer would come from with 3 lone wolf sticks and an aider. This set up got me to about 17 feet to my ring of steps. Even though the tree trunk is wider than my body, I still got picked by a big wary doe as she came off the hill in the last 10 minutes of daylight. We were basically at eye level.

Fast forward to this season. The oaks were dropping again so I went in with my 2TC kit. This time I was able to get as high as I needed and not be limited by how many sticks I was toting. Everything but my bow fit in a medium sized backpack and weighed about 12 pounds less. I got up to about 28 feet to my ring of steps and got tucked into some great cover belonging to a nearby tree. No deer showed that evening, unfortunately.

Below is a picture taken from last year's hunt with the sticks and I have drawn in approximately where I was with 2TC. It makes a difference.

On these big trees, and basically all trees I 2TC, I don't go for the full leg wrap to the tree. I just put my right foot against the tree and keep my knee locked straight. This way tree diameter is not as critical.
 

Attachments

  • 2tc vs sticks .jpg
    2tc vs sticks .jpg
    596.5 KB · Views: 56
The trick to climbing large tree for me is using a twist lock carabiner for your foot tether. When the tree is so large you will be limited to how high you can move your bottom tether up while hanging because you can’t lift the tether up the back up the tree with your hand. With the quick disconnect/connect tether simply disconnect, flip up the tether, reconnect, and continue your climb. I climbed a tree that was 3 ft or more diameter and while it was slower it wasn’t too bad. You do need healthy length tethers though. Mine are 10-11ft
 
I like rappeling as I can usually do everything in very low light quickly
I gather my platform or stand and down I go.
I have a bow rope that serves as a retrieval line and my pack which has all other goods is lowered (and raised)using my rappel rope.
Mind you I only have stared using the man bag while exploring 2TC to stow tethers, 8, pursiks, water n such.
So I only climb with my platform of choice on my back.
 
FrankNess14 said:
Yup, would have to have a stiff enough tether(s) that they will stay horizontal when held open around the tree, not flop down and grab the bark while trying to raise it. Think a hula hoop (sp?) that you can raise up the tree without touching it. [mention]Samcirrus [/mention] accomplishes this with some kinda rubber track he puts on the rope.
Click to expand...
Yep! I still recommend it heartily! It really makes the tree size irrelevant, but you do need 2 foot loops for 2TCing a wide tree. Which happens to be something I have on my 2TC system now for emergency shots while on my way up. I climb with 1 foot but the 2nd is available for a sturdier rest and larger trees.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top