jmbknvc
Active Member
Finally got out away from the office and home to go down to the lease, camp house. Well, I made time to go sight in my pendulum sight on the bow. Since next weekend is the opener in my state and hope to get out at least one day. Also took the time to start getting familiar with the Wild Edge Step climbing system. When I got to the camp house, aka “Father-in-Law’s” place, is where everyone parks their campers. I had him and another “Old Timer” watching me climb for the first time. I did mess around with a couple steps in the back yard on a pine tree but did not climb. This time was my first ascent up to 16-18 ft and place a lock-on for target practice. As suspected, it is going to take a little time to become proficient in the climbing method, but don’t think it will take that long and was very impressed at how quite the system is straight out of the box, no mods.
As I got everything arranged at the base of the ash tree, they got the side-by-side where they could watch and of course make comments. The first four steps took a little bit to get placed. Not due to tying the knot or camming over the step, but getting the distance between the steps, which was about two feet apart for me. Then was the lineman’s belt length. Needed to find that sweet spot. Where you can climb without being to close to the tree, which caused issues with the steps. Besides having issues reaching the next step the lineman’s rope would get caught on the step rope and loosen the step. The other is being to far out, which makes you lean back so far to keep tension on the lineman’s rope that it is very difficult to place the next step. Which leads me to my first upgrade is going to be a Ropeman ascender for one-hand adjustment on my lineman’s rope.
After finding the sweet spot on the lineman’s rope, the next issue I ran across was the steps rope. This issue was all MY fault and will tell everyone to STRECHER their new ropes before use as recommend. What I had happen was that I got the step in place and would go to climb up. When I got all my weight on the step it would slide down slightly. I felt like it was the rope because it was acting just like the YouTube video stated. So, I would climb back down and retie the step and cam it back over. Then would pull on the step, almost hanging on the step to make sure it was good and seated against the tree. Then back up the tree I went. I will stretch the rope out some more before the next climbing session.
For my first use of the steps, I would say that for the most part it was successful and Wild Edge has created a great product. Now here are a couple items that I learned using the system. The first is that I would not mind the step to be a couple inches wider. There was just enough room to place the tips of the boots perpendicular to the tree on the step. Standing on the step this way made me feel like at was at the gym doing calf raises. I started to place my heals back to back on the step and wrap my boots around the tree. This felt better to me when I was installing the next step and my feet seemed more stable. It also took awhile to figure out the step placement height to the rope for a good cam over. I know there is a good YouTube video, but it is different when you are looking at it straight on. The last two items deal with the bag. Got to find a padding for the strap, as this is going to be my second upgrade. That strap will dig into your shoulder and any suggestions beside a good pad would be welcome. The last is placing the steps back in the bag. The step goes in the bag behind all the ropes, but it the ropes are laid over the front, zipper side. It seemed at times the zipper slides down some. So, I moved the ropes to lay over the back and work the step in behind all the ropes. Is there and easier way or will it become easier with use?
I know the Wild Edge Steps have probably been reviewed before but thought I would share my opinion from a Newbie or want-a-be saddle hunter, until gear arrives. So, I want to say thanks for reading or skimming through the post. I will get lots of climbing practice and use my M7 stand in the meantime.
As I got everything arranged at the base of the ash tree, they got the side-by-side where they could watch and of course make comments. The first four steps took a little bit to get placed. Not due to tying the knot or camming over the step, but getting the distance between the steps, which was about two feet apart for me. Then was the lineman’s belt length. Needed to find that sweet spot. Where you can climb without being to close to the tree, which caused issues with the steps. Besides having issues reaching the next step the lineman’s rope would get caught on the step rope and loosen the step. The other is being to far out, which makes you lean back so far to keep tension on the lineman’s rope that it is very difficult to place the next step. Which leads me to my first upgrade is going to be a Ropeman ascender for one-hand adjustment on my lineman’s rope.
After finding the sweet spot on the lineman’s rope, the next issue I ran across was the steps rope. This issue was all MY fault and will tell everyone to STRECHER their new ropes before use as recommend. What I had happen was that I got the step in place and would go to climb up. When I got all my weight on the step it would slide down slightly. I felt like it was the rope because it was acting just like the YouTube video stated. So, I would climb back down and retie the step and cam it back over. Then would pull on the step, almost hanging on the step to make sure it was good and seated against the tree. Then back up the tree I went. I will stretch the rope out some more before the next climbing session.
For my first use of the steps, I would say that for the most part it was successful and Wild Edge has created a great product. Now here are a couple items that I learned using the system. The first is that I would not mind the step to be a couple inches wider. There was just enough room to place the tips of the boots perpendicular to the tree on the step. Standing on the step this way made me feel like at was at the gym doing calf raises. I started to place my heals back to back on the step and wrap my boots around the tree. This felt better to me when I was installing the next step and my feet seemed more stable. It also took awhile to figure out the step placement height to the rope for a good cam over. I know there is a good YouTube video, but it is different when you are looking at it straight on. The last two items deal with the bag. Got to find a padding for the strap, as this is going to be my second upgrade. That strap will dig into your shoulder and any suggestions beside a good pad would be welcome. The last is placing the steps back in the bag. The step goes in the bag behind all the ropes, but it the ropes are laid over the front, zipper side. It seemed at times the zipper slides down some. So, I moved the ropes to lay over the back and work the step in behind all the ropes. Is there and easier way or will it become easier with use?
I know the Wild Edge Steps have probably been reviewed before but thought I would share my opinion from a Newbie or want-a-be saddle hunter, until gear arrives. So, I want to say thanks for reading or skimming through the post. I will get lots of climbing practice and use my M7 stand in the meantime.
