What do you guys do when climbing up and down to your stands? I use a lineman's rope when hanging my sticks and stand but after that I don't use it again when I'm climbing, I just hook myself to the tree once I get on the platform. Most of my hang ons are about 17' high so I really comfortable climbing up and down and that's what worries me:-/ Was looking at the Muddy safeline for $40 but was wondering if anybody just buy some rope and makes their own with prussic knots? Seems simple enough and you could have one hanging on every stand.
Hard decision. HSS makes something called a lifeline similar to the the Muddy safeline. I know that the climbing strength rope that these units are made from is rather pricey. Plus you need to do your research on knots and make sure it's appropriate. It would probably be cheaper than buying a system for every stand though.
I use the HSS lines on all of my hang-ons. Yes it was pricier than buying climbers rope and building one, but I would rather trust my life to something a company produces and must meet standards, than something I threw together. Am I being crazy? Maybe. But I like walking back to my truck at the end of a hunt.
I don't use anything while climbing my sticks, ladder or tree steps ... I just want to get up in the tree ... I wear my safety vest on my ladders to appease my wife ... tho I know it is stupid to not wear your vest ... but climbing ... I hear what you are saying about being TOO comfortable .... it's then when you aren't careful enough and bad things can happen ...
I have about 8 hang on and ladder stands up right now and that could turn into some real money I hear what your saying. I wouldnt built them halfa$$ed but they'r pretty simple. IMO Just wondered if anyone else was just making them up. The prussia know you could make with your eyes closed. I think you just want quility rope that won't rot.
Thanks. Lets not over work our guardian angles watching over us I aways wear a safety harness just so I can relax but always worried using a lineman's rope I would just make more noise going up and down our FL pines and I also worry about making that transition from lineman's rope to hang-on safely and quietly.
I was looking at the HSS lifeline. If i remember right they have a pack of 3 for cheaper than what buying three seperate would be. I however also noticed it is a very simple design just toss the end through a loop tighten to tree and tie off at bottom then slide the prussic knot up while climbing. watched some videos on making the prussic knot and it doesn't appear to difficult. The only thing i really didn't look into was buying the rope. if you have numerous stands it has to be cheaper to make your own then purchase numerous ones. Besides you can give them a little test once you get them installed with a bag of sand or the like of course.
I'm just thinking if you kept some descent rope with you you could make them up quickly and put them wherever you need them. I'll have to try it out.
I only have two hang ons, so cost isn't an issue. However, I make my own ropes. It's honestly not that difficult. Mine are all 30' in length. They are based on the rope/prussic knot system that comes with the SOP harnesses. I hang my stands, hang the rope above the stand, then tie it off at the other end at the base of the tree on a screw in step (to keep it relatively taught while climbing in or out of a stand. I can then just clip in when I climb and slide the prussic as I ascend or descend. It keeps me safe and give my family piece of mind.
I don't tie into anything when climbing steps, ladders etc........I make sure I am tied in before I step into the stand but I have tried a linemans setup before and almost killed myself in the dark. I can't say I tie in every time before I go up in my Summit either. Good slap in the face for me.........I am making a pledge to myself and family in my mind as I type this not to be such a dumb ass and tie in EVERY time. I haven't been wearing anything in ladders all year. I am going to hunt this whole weekend and then in Ohio next week with steps and a hang on so you can bet I will be tied to anything I can find as my first few setups will probably make a great comedy video.
That's what I'm talking about. That sounds great. Thanks. I just want it cheap and simple so I'll always use them.
I wonder if that is all you would need to use meaning, if its done right and it's tied off above you head could you just leave yourself tied off to that for the hunt?
I have made a few of the "lifelines" this year. I got poly rope for the long line and nylon for the Prussik knot. They are simple as hell to make and cheap when you get them this way. Personally I dont have them on my ladder stands but i use them for my climbers that i leave on the tree. I don't remember what the rope strength was but i think it was 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch rope. Very strong and easy to work with. I think I have $10 a piece in each setup. You talk about peace of mind when you are using a climber... They always made me nervous before, but once i put these on I feel more than 100% safer!
Oh and you are going to want to figure out a way to attach the Prussik to your Linesman loops and not the tether because if you fell that would put the Prussik way too far over your head to lower yourself down the line. I run a carabiner thru both of my linesman loops and hook it to the prussik and it fits great, almost like a tree saddle. It really depends on your build, but there is no way I would want it hooked to my tether.
Rope and prusic knot hangs on my climbing sticks. hook into it every time. once up i stay hooked to that and then hook into the strap on the tree. walmart (at least the one here) sells the 30' rope with a prusic rope with it, cant rightly remember if I had to tie the prusic or if it was already on there, nor can I remember the price. I do know it wont break the bank, and it works. I tested it (intentionaly). Used to not use a harness at all, dec of 03 i was in the ICU from a auto accident and the guy next door was in there b/c he fell from his tree stand, unfortunately he did not make it. I love my wife and kids to much to not hook in before getting off the ground.
I know a guy that is a hunter/rock climber. He has rope climbing and rapelling gear which is used during hunting season. He has also made similar lifelines for his tree stands. It's awesome to see him coming out the stand with a 3 second rope descent. lol
Hahahaha...."trust my life to something a company produces and must meet standards" Do the smart thing and learn how to tie knots. I know all of use put our trust in others when we use gear. Someone had to make it. It may have been the high paid guy that designed the tree stand or the low paid asian that tied your knot... but someone made it somewhere and we trust our lives in these things we buy..
