Best Climbing System

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BHC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2011
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915
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Wayne Co. , Tennessee
I just bought a guido's web, and for those of you that hunt from this style treestand, what do u use?
I'm looking for something light to pack, and requires little energy to hang and climb..
 
Look to Poser and Vermin93 to give you some good insight from real world experience. I expect they'll chime in here soon.
 
I am definitely not in the shape I once was, but I'm still young (24) and would consider myself in decent shape to get up and down a tree. I'm most concerned with noise and getting all sweaty ascending. I have about decided on the Crawford rope steps. Is that also what u use for your platform? Are they good and stable? How many does it take to get up 20-25 ft?
 
# of steps is dependent on u and how far u want to stretch between each. It takes me a dozen steps to get around 25 ft. Lots of choices out there and don't knock them til u try them as I have been surprised.
 
BHC - congrats on purchasing a Web! I love mine. Best all-around treestand hunting platform there is, in my opinion.

As far as climbing systems go, there are a lot of options that can be used with a mobile hunting setup like the Web or a Tree Saddle or a lightweight hang-on stand. Here's a quick look at a few options to give you some perspective:

Set of 4 Ameristep Aluminum Rapid Rails: Cost about $100. Weight about 13 lbs.

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Set of 4 Lone Wolf Climbing Sticks: Cost about $170. Weight about 11 lbs.

5b302cca-d970-46e3-9abf-127c590296f2_zps69b023b9.jpg


Set of 12 Cranford EZY Climb Folding Rope Tree Steps: Cost about $108. Weight about 7 lbs.

b3ae58c5-66d4-48e3-bfca-b61b28925362_zpsd2d7e8f3.jpg


Set of 12 Cranford EZY Climb Detachable Tree Steps with 12 EZY Climb Detachable Lag Screws: Cost about $70 (additional lag screws are $2 each). Weight about 6.5 lbs.

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Multi-step solutions like the Ameristep Rapid Rails and Lone Wolf Climbing Sticks have the benefit of only having to connect 4 individual sticks to the tree. The disadvantage is that they weigh more and are bulkier to transport.

Single-step solutions like the Cranford EZY Climb Steps have the advantage of weighing less and being easier to transport, but you have the burden of having to connect 8 to 12 individual steps to the tree.

In my opinion, the absolute best treestand climbing system on the planet is the Cranford EZY Climb Detachable Tree Steps with EZY Climb Detachable Lag Screws. However, they are useless if you are not allowed to use screw-in steps where you hunt (I use mine in the awesome deer hunting state of Kansas, which allows screw-in steps everywhere!). If you can't use screw-in steps where you hunt, then I would go with the Cranford EZY Climb Folding Rope Tree Steps. The best price is at eders.com. A set of 12 will run you about $108 shipped.

Cranford EZYClimb Folding Rope Tree Step, 4/pk.

If you want to get the most out of the Web, you will need a step belt to give you the ability to step around the tree if the situation calls for it. The most popular solution for a step belt is 4, 5 or 6 Ameristep Strap On Tree Steps connected to a single belt that you attach to the tree at the height you want your feet to be at. If you use a strap with a cam buckle it will be quieter to attach the step belt to the tree, but it will likely come a little bit lose as you step on it during your hunt. If you use a ratchet strap it will make noise when you attach the step belt to the tree, but it will cinch down nice and tight and stay put. The only issue is that the Ameristep Strap On Tree Steps were discontinued several years ago and there is no similar product available today. As a result, they sell for a premium on ebay and places like Archery Talk if you can find them for sale at all. Most of them have been snatched up by Web and Tree Saddle users. I have seen them sell as high as $20 a step, but usually they go for about $12 a step on ebay. So, a set of 5 for a step belt will probably run you at least $60 if you can find some for sale. Not too long ago someone had a nice set of them for sale in the tndeer classifieds for cheap! They got snatched up really quick. I was bummed that I missed them.

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Best of luck to you with the Web and make sure you practice climbing with it, sitting in it, and shooting from it before you actually go in the woods to hunt with it.
 
I use the Rapid Rails. I use a set of 4 but buy additional long sections so each of my hang ons has a set of 6. This can get me as high as 30' or so depending on how many limbs I can incorporate along the way. They aren't light or fun to carry but once at my stand site I love them. They go on easy and with them being in sections you can go around limbs on the way up instead of having to cut all of them off as if you were using a climber. I don't know of another climbing system I deem as secure as Rapid Rails. Once you put them on the tree you can stand on the top corner of one and bounce. It doesn't give at all. This is even if one of the 4 corners (top and bottom) isn't even touching the tree. I also like the idea of the Cranford system. I'd like to have a section for when I encounter a tree with a much larger base than the cylinder of the tree a few feet above ground. I could get started with these and then go to my step system or even a climber.
 
I bought my last set in 2004 so I don't know if this place is still in operation or not. I got mine from Performance Outdoor Products out of Searcy Ark. Their phone number "was" 1-800-767-2375, their web address "was" www.nttreestands.com, and their email address "was" [email protected]. At that time I paid $145 for a 4 pack of rails and $44 for each extension.
 
I think it's game over on the Rapid Rail extensions. Can't find any mention of them on the Ameristep website and they aren't for sale anywhere online. It's another Ameristep product that I wish they hadn't discontinued.
 
I wish I could get some ameistep strap on for platform..
I may look at gettin a few climbing paws..
Poser so u only use the etrier once at bottom? What stops u from using two or three to save on even more or keep from using steps at all? I have a strap on seat I could possibly use.. At least as primary platform
 
BHC said:
I wish I could get some ameistep strap on for platform..
Click to expand...

You can....if you win this ebay auction that ends Thursday. Starting bid for 5 steps is $103.50 with free shipping.

Tree Steps Ameristep Strap Steps Model 105 set of FIVE

Keep checking ebay regularly because they pop up for sale periodically.


9 of them were sold on tndeer for only $40 back in August. :cry:

http://www.tndeer.com/tndeertalk/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=22&Number=3741356&Searchpage=1&Main=287215&Words=ameristep&topic=0&Search=true#Post3741356

Maybe someone here has some they forgot about and they are willing to part with them. It wouldn't hurt to put out a WTB ad in the classifieds.
 
Great post and tons of great info. I use a stand that's no longer made similar to Guido's Web and am always looking to see how others set up. These posts and pics are great.

I like the Cranford Steps though I use the EZY Deluxe Climbers. My stand came with an "aid" for installing the steps. It's basically about a 15 inch piece of PVC pipe with a small diameter bungee cord 5 inches down. You stick the step in the pipe and wrap the cord over the end of the screw to hold it in place to give you leverage to put in the tree. Works great combined with cranford's self tapping screws. Since I don't have the Ameristeps described above, I've found spacing 3 steps out around most trees as my base works for me. The detachable steps look great, especially if you are hunting several spots multiple times during season.

This year I also have used the Muddy Climbing Sticks (4). Weigh 2.5 lbs each, and I think you can order singles or a 4 pack. They attach quietly with the rope, quick to set up, and are pretty compact packed together for sticks. As others said though, the weight is the disadvantage when compared to steps. Still new to the Muddy, so we'll see how season goes.

Last method that I've used is bolts. Can use a cordless drill, but I've used a hand drill with auger bit (see EZ Kut products) during season along with bolts like those made by Treehopper. This system is much lighter than the sticks or steps. Just put bolts in at slight angle. If get bolts and buy another kind, just make sure to get strong grade (seems most say at least grade 8) and length of at least 6 inches. There's a lot of info out on forums about using bolts that is helpful. Opinions seem to be mixed on bolts, but definitely cuts down on weight and as easy to install as tree steps in my opinion.

Interested to see what you think of the Web. I'm considering moving to it for the larger size version (I'm 6' 5") and have been comparing it to the tree saddle. Just really think the fork to keep you off the tree outweighs the lightness/compactibility of a saddle.
 
Mik475 - I can assure you that the fork on the Web that keeps you off the tree is sweeeeeet. :)

I'm a big boy, too, and my Web weighs about 13 lbs. It's an Extra Large Tall. If I pair it with 12 of the Cranford EZY Climb Folding Rope Steps the whole package is right around 20 lbs.

If you are considering the Web and have questions, give Butch Palasani (Guido) a call at Guido's Outdoors. I called him before I bought mine to ask some questions and he was super helpful.
 
Good thread. I've hunted extensively with Lone Wolf strap on stands and sticks, but I'd try the Muddy rope-on sticks. Shorter and heavier, but straps have to be replaced every few years. Buckles can make noise even when you're careful, and there's a reason why all the other sticks have steps for both of your feet at the top.

As for Tree Saddles and such, I've got a Tree Suit that's been in the closet for a few years and I rigged up a Ameristep strap on step with an extra sliding step as mentioned above. Only issue is that it does just that. It can slide on you. Just saying.

My thoughts on the Guido's web is that it weights so much and the whole point of the no stand approach is to become part of the tree and not need as much cover or climb as high as if using a treestand. They don't make my Treesuit anymore, but the Tree Saddle is probably superior, anyhow...

As for steps and safety, I fell 20 yrs ago while tightening my last Cranford rope-on step because I was young and too ignorant to use a line-man's rope. One of the often mentioned disadvantages of a climber is that you gotta cut limbs. Well, if climbing with sticks or steps or whatever, when you encounter limbs, you still gotta disconnect your climbing rope so be real careful, guys....
 
Pfft... All this unnecessary equipment is not what I call light and efficient. Hands down the lightest and most versatile setup is a tree saddle combined with sport climber tree spikes. Total weight is maybe 3-5 pounds. I'm 44 and stand 6' 2" weighing 240. I get up to 25-30 feet in no time and hang comfortably the entire time. You will need knee pads as well. I just wear those and the saddle in and put on spikes when ready to climb. Good luck.
 
I too use a tree saddle on occasion. I often use the tree hopper system of bolts and a cordless drill, no question the lightest and quickest way to install 15 steps and be at 30 ft in just a few mins All fits in a fanny pack as well.
 
Well just to give an update, I got the guidos web. Sat in it yesterday for about 45 min. really comfortable. Seems like it won't be to tough to shoot from, but haven't tried yet.. Can definitely shoot 360 from it tho.
I decided to go with the helium hawk climbing sticks(3) should get me to about 15 ft. Also using a couple etriers attached to climbing sticks as needed to get higher..
 

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