Wild Edge Climb 7 ft. Per Step

[Rangermatthews]

Super cool! The more experimenting and evaluation of my system I do the more I am convinced that WEI stepps are the lightest and most versatile climbing method available.

 

[BJRoth2]

Looks awesome!

 

[Dru--->89]

Awesome creativity here. Currently using a 5 step aider and I have trouble getting my foot into it sometimes. This idea looks like a good alternative. Looking at creating my own boogie woogie here soon. Any new versions/updates on your guys boogie woogies out there?

 

[backstrap19]

I just got some materials to start working on a bwaider this week. If it turns out OK, i'll post it.

 

[Waylon mark]

Somebody right now is making that out of amsteel and carbon fiber with a mole skin wrapped biner with a safety string lol you should feel proud

 

[backstrap19]

Who is this person, and where can we see it?

 

[backstrap19]

Sorry, forgot to add this..... @Waylon mark

 

[backstrap19]

Ok guys, im the old guy that has a bigger beer gut than id like. I have a bad back. Im NOT flexible in the least. Im not agile in a tree. I dont trust my body to do complicated tasks in the air. Putting it simpler: im old and ive lost more than a step.

With all that being said, i love the idea of this system. So ive come up with the geriatric version of the bwaider. I was not super comfortable hooking into the knaider loop on the way down. So i tried to come up with a way to modify the bwaider system to meet my physical limitations. I skipped the first knaider loop and instead put a 2ft aider loop under the wood step. All of my measurements are very conservative so that i can make the steps in any conditions with any clothing on.

It goes like this:

Hang WE step about 6'6" or up to 7ft, depending on personal preference. Attach old man bwaider. Step up about 24" into first loop with right foot. Step onto wood step with left foot (about 24"). Then knaider onto WE step(about 32").

I made it out of tubular webbing with a speedy stitcher. This isn't the best pic, but you get the idea.

 

[TexasCountyMo]

subscribed so that I can see all the busted teeth posts this spring... seriously guys, someones gonna get hurt with these.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Thanks mom

 

[TexasCountyMo]

Thanks mom

I know this is a joke, but for real... safety lines and steps should NOT be DIY for the average hunter/climber. The post I replied directly under is a wooden stick wrapped and stitched to some webbing There's no backup for when that twig breaks. I'm all for DIY and improving technique along with equipment, but THIS specific thread is going a bit beyond reasonably safe. Just my 2 cents.

 

[BJRoth2]

That twig is backed up, and will be further with additional webbing now that it has been tested at ground level. #notanavgclimber

 

[TexasCountyMo]

That twig is backed up, and will be further with additional webbing now that it has been tested at ground level. #notanavgclimber

Wasn't talking about your post or your build. I'm talking about several of the other builds and attempts at this project.. Your information and disclaimers are very clear and purposeful.

 

[Liebadude]

WI is organizing a saddle hunter meet up in June. I'm planning on attending/helping out and introducing this climbing concept to the group. Will let you know what kind of feedback I get.

Did you consider/tinker with amsteel rope at all? 1/4 inch would be plenty strong and less weight. And, I'm thinking that the j hook supplied with the JC knaider should be plenty deep to hook onto 1/4 inch amsteel. Thoughts?

 

[raisins]

Man, I don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but you're climbing with your linemans belt down by your feet at times. Combine that with your feet being what looks like 5ft below the attachment point, and I think a nasty kick out and fall is inevitable at some point.

I think wild edge steps are great, and safe when used as the inventor intended. But I saw some sketchy stuff at saddlepalooza last year involving the creative use of aiders. And more than one seasoned forum member has reported a nasty swing.

Just be careful. I hate to poo on innovation, but I hate to see somebody fall.

I think he could reach up and attach his safety tether right above the step and shorten the tether as he climbs.

I no longer trust lineman's lanyards as fall restraint devices.

I always use a tether and lineman's when using sticks.

 

[Liebadude]

I tried a few different variations. I started by just using the large rope loop under the wood to knaider. This made building it easy, but it was difficult for me to access with the knaider. I moved it off to the right and up just for easier access. It may help with kickouts to have it centered, but you'll more than likely whiff a time or two when trying to get the knaider into the loop under a boot. The knaider loop can be placed about anywhere for heading up the tree, its climbing down that requires some more strategic placement. If you left a little bit of slack in the large rope loop between the knots under the wood, you could knaider onto that going up for a nice centered approach, then use a smaller side loop for climbing down. Let me know how it goes!

WI is organizing a saddle hunter meet up in June. I'm planning on attending/helping out and introducing this climbing concept to the group. Will let you know what kind of feedback I get.

Did you consider/tinker with amsteel rope at all? 1/4 inch would be plenty strong and less weight. And, I'm thinking that the j hook supplied with the JC knaider should be plenty deep to hook onto 1/4 inch amsteel. Thoughts?

 

[cradduck34]

Finished my version of the boogie woogie. I used inch and a half square tubing and have a 3 inch ring welded to the front of the tubing. I used sleeves inside the tube to keep the metal from shearing the rope. Mine is out of steel because the rings I had laying around were steel and wasnt sure if my design would work. If I make another I will make it out of aluminum and maybe use 1 inch tubing. Simple design. I am getting 7 feet out of each WE step with the knaider. Plan to hunt between 14 and 18 ft so this system puts me at 3 WE steps with the perch and 2 with my predator.

 

[Liebadude]

Finished my version of the boogie woogie. I used inch and a half square tubing and have a 3 inch ring welded to the front of the tubing. I used sleeves inside the tube to keep the metal from shearing the rope. Mine is out of steel because the rings I had laying around were steel and wasnt sure if my design would work. If I make another I will make it out of aluminum and maybe use 1 inch tubing. Simple design. I am getting 7 feet out of each WE step with the knaider. Plan to hunt between 14 and 18 ft so this system puts me at 3 WE steps with the perch and 2 with my predator.

Nice ingenuity there incorporating that 3 inch ring!! Wish I had some welding skill, lol.

Looks like you also opted for the j hook instead of a carabiner like BJ uses for hooking onto the WEstep. You had no issues or concerns about the j hook slipping off?

 

[cradduck34]

Nice ingenuity there incorporating that 3 inch ring!! Wish I had some welding skill, lol.

Looks like you also opted for the j hook instead of a carabiner like BJ uses for hooking onto the WEstep. You had no issues or concerns about the j hook slipping off?

I have not had any issues with the j hook. As with the knaider, if you have weight on it, you can't lift off. I have not had this happen yet but if the WE step is not locked on flat, there is a possibility of the hook sliding left or right. The same is true with a carabiner but the j hook may slip off and the carabiner would not. I have not decided on the j hook for certain but I wanted to try it and so far I prefer the ease of just setting the hook over the bar. I also plan to have a bungee to my lineman loop in the event I drop it or it does slip off.

 

[backstrap19]

Finished my version of the boogie woogie. I used inch and a half square tubing and have a 3 inch ring welded to the front of the tubing. I used sleeves inside the tube to keep the metal from shearing the rope. Mine is out of steel because the rings I had laying around were steel and wasnt sure if my design would work. If I make another I will make it out of aluminum and maybe use 1 inch tubing. Simple design. I am getting 7 feet out of each WE step with the knaider. Plan to hunt between 14 and 18 ft so this system puts me at 3 WE steps with the perch and 2 with my predator.

That thing is SICK!! in a good way. i mean it is FREAKING AWESOME. you've inspired me to revisit the full bwaider (boogie woogie) system. my old man twig setup is still working, but there is always fiddling to be done. you are a skilled welder.