Carrying a Climber Question

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eastTN270

eastTN270

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Planning to purchase my first climbing stand and got to wondering about carrying it into the woods. I sweat when I walk to my stand, so I usually just wear pants and a long sleeve t-shirt. That means I stuff my backpack with my base and mid layers and attach my outerlayers to my pack with a carabeaner. I obviously don't pack light, so was wondering how you guys carried your stand, backpack/gear, and weapon to the stand without feeling like a camel, sweating profusely, making a lot of noise, and taking hours to walk in.
 
I put my backpack between the platform and the seat backrest of my summitt then connect the hooks on the bungee (used to connect the backrest to the tree) to the top of the platform. Clear as mud?
 
Two options depending on weather. During warm weather I wear a pretty good size fanny pack. It's great because all your stuff is right there easily accessable for the pack in.

Cold weather. Take your normal backpack and slide one of the straps over the platform on your stand. No ties required. Makes her a little heavy. I actually just pack in clothes like this and put my gloves, mask, flashlight, water etc in my fanny pack
 
I just attach the top carry strap of my backpack to the uppermost part of my stand (front of the platform) and put my cinch strap that holds the two stand pieces together over the backpack. It really is pretty easy, even if it doesn't make sense as I type it.
 
I normally carry a backpack but I take my summit I cnt so il change into a fanny pack and any extra clothes can be stuffed in to seat a jacket just throw the shoulders over each corner of the foot rest
 
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I bought the side bags for my Summit Viper and I've been surprised how much i can fit in them. Last week i had a light jacket, flashlight, bow hanger, saw, pull rope, release, safety harness and various other items.
This has done away with my need for a backpack.
 
I take a large climbing carabeaner, one I've had for years, and attach it between the pack carry handle and the chain or tree straps on the stand. I then take the waist belt and clip around the stand and cinch it down. You can then loop clothes through the carabeaner and let them hang. I've been doing this forever. I did go on eBay and buy some military ruck sack carrying straps and even with all the weight it makes it so much easier to carry. I've used this system for both of my climbers and it works really well.
 
infoman jr. said:
I put my backpack between the platform and the seat backrest of my summitt then connect the hooks on the bungee (used to connect the backrest to the tree) to the top of the platform. Clear as mud?
Click to expand...


ditto, do the same thing. has worked well for me
 
I have struggled with this as well. I now have one of those very large carabiners that I hook to my stand and top of my backpack. Then I always keep a bungie cord on my stand so I use it to keep the bottom of the backpack from swaying and clanging while walking. Makes it heavy but it's full of stuff I need. Some hunts I just take my fanny pack and wear it spun around to my belly and climber can go on my shoulders.
 
Very simple to either attach a backpack or even just bungee my outer layer of clothes right to whatever type stand, loc on or climber Im carrying. Actually gives you a frame to attach whatever to.
 
My climbing harness has a couple of pockets and I have added some pouches made by hunter safety systems. I put everything in pockets to eliminate the need for a pack. You can add the pack to the stand but its incredibly heavy that way. Also, the military carry straps make it much easier to carry. You can even attach the belt strap to balance the weight between your shoulders and your waist for long carries. I personally use a bike and trailer so I can ride to within a few hundred yards of my spot. Completely packed, it looks like an incredible amount of stuff to kill a deer. My son says I am loaded to the teeth. There is a fine line between too much stuff and not enough. Finding that line is the key. Good luck.
 
infoman jr. said:
I put my backpack between the platform and the seat backrest of my summitt then connect the hooks on the bungee (used to connect the backrest to the tree) to the top of the platform. Clear as mud?
Click to expand...

Yep or like I do carry a fanny pack and just put my upper garments or coveralls on the stand !
 
Snake said:
infoman jr. said:
I put my backpack between the platform and the seat backrest of my summitt then connect the hooks on the bungee (used to connect the backrest to the tree) to the top of the platform. Clear as mud?
Click to expand...

Yep or like I do carry a fanny pack and just put my upper garments or coveralls on the stand !
Click to expand...

I also use a fanny pack, a camel back for my water, and if I need anything else I just wing it.
 
1. I wear the new silky under armor type under clothes, a lightweight pair of pants and no shirt over the under armor stuff walking in. This will allow the sweat to dry quick...if you do sweat. When it gets colder, I wear warmer base layers, but carry my outerlayer tied to my stand.

2. I wear uninsulated boots or in really cold weather - very lightly insulated boots. I carry "boot blankets" with me and use them if my feet get cold on stand.

3. I tie my outerlayer of clothes to my tree stand and put them on either before I climb or after I am in the stand - depending on how hot I am when I arrive at my hunting spot.

4. Also, if I know I have a lot of walking, I do not wear a hat of any kind in. Any kind of a hat will hold in heat and sweat you up.

The biggest secret to staying warm in the stand, is staying dry on the way in. You get wet with sweat and then bundle up with insulated outer layers - you will not dry and you will get cold. This goes for feet and the rest of your body as well.
 
Everyone is different.i have loc ons and ladder stands all over the place. When walking in, and I don't care if its 10 degrees outside, I will have my camo pants and a t-shirt on. It's bad for the first200 yards, but you get used to it and warm up. When I get to my stand, which is usually 1 hr before light, ill sit at the base of the tree for 10 minutes and cool off and then put my cold overalls and jacket on,drink my 5 hr energy and I'm good to go. I have a Summit and will hunt out of it 50% of the time. I just strap my fanny pack to the TOP of my stand. The more you have on your top of your shoulders, the better.
 
My new summit is a.dream (thanks g-n-b) my back pack attaches to the platform of my goliath with 2 snap clips so my climber and pack is one unit really handy
 
If it is early season, I carry a small fanny pack and either strap it to my stand or spin it around and wear it in front. If I wear it in back it will push and clank against my climber. Later when its colder I carry a bigger pack and strap it and any warmer clothes to the stand between the hand climber and stand. The balance is different but you get used to it. On private property I seldom use a climber but on public land that's all I'll ever use. I've "donated" a few loc ons before.
 
The best advice I can give you is lighten your load. I carry a waist pack now...sold my back pack. It's amazing just how much stuff people carry in the woods and never use. The waist pack nestles perfectly in my nested climber when hiking in. Makes a world of difference.
 
If I'm going on a hike to get to my tree, I strap mine to my deer cart, along with pack, clothes, lunch bag, etc.... However, if I'm only going a short distance, I only carry my stand and put whatever I need in the pockets and leave pack and everything else at the truck. No need in carrying a bunch of stuff, that I can quickly go back to the truck for if I get a kill.
 
Wear lite clothing and take a large zip lock bag with you. When you get to your tree ...strip down...spray off...do a clothing change and drop your contaminated clothes into the bag. It also helps to "Leave Earlier" and take your time getting in when you have a long walk.
 
I used to use a rolling golf cart that would fold up. You could strap everything on it,stand,pack,bow,gun,ground blind. only problem is getting over/around fallen trees. Just another idea.Good hunting.
 
infoman jr. said:
I put my backpack between the platform and the seat backrest of my summitt then connect the hooks on the bungee (used to connect the backrest to the tree) to the top of the platform. Clear as mud?
Click to expand...

I do the same thing.
Those Summit seats can hold a bunch of stuff. I put my pack and extra clothes in it, then cinch it down with an extra bungee.
I have real backpack shoulder straps attached to both my Summit stands, they carry very well, even when loaded heavy with winter gear for an all day sit.
 
Thought I'd resurrect this thread. I took a pic of my load before heading to the stand Saturday afternoon to illustrate how I carry my pack in my stand.
 
Alot of good ideas here...I usually try to take my climber and hide it or lock it to the tree...I know it's risky had one stolen last year but I hate carrying my stand and backpack....Usually just use ladders and hang ons..
 
UTGrad said:
The best advice I can give you is lighten your load. I carry a waist pack now...sold my back pack. It's amazing just how much stuff people carry in the woods and never use. The waist pack nestles perfectly in my nested climber when hiking in. Makes a world of difference.
Click to expand...
x2. Its just like when you move...how many boxes never get opened and just stored away...If you don't use it lose it.
 

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