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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: mtsrunner on September 27, 2011, 09:21:00 PM
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I have a really light weight saddle setup that people have asked me about, so I thought I would post it here (and on AT). I use an Ambush saddle with the shoulder straps cut off. I use a climbing rope and carabiner as my tether. I use a Lone Wolf stick tension strap as my lineman's belt. I use a Woody hunting hand drill and custom made Titanium Treehopper-style bolts.
Regarding the Titanium pegs… I had them custom made from a company called Mettec. (mettec.com)
I worked with a nice fellow named Dave to get them exactly like I wanted. Here are the details:
The material is aircraft grade Titanium. As strong as grade 8 steel, 47% lighter and will never corrode.
3/8” x 6.5”
Each bolt weighs 1.88 ounces
The business end of the bolt has one inch of coarse, rolled threads (The main reason I spent the extra money over the steel bolts that are available dirt cheap. The steel bolts usually have 1.5 inches of machined threads, which makes them more succeptible to shearing when used as tree steps). With my bolts, I have 5.5 inches of solid shank (insert your joke here) vs. the Treehopper steel bolts which have 4.5 inches of solid shank. I also had the hex heads turned down to make them smooth for carrying. The head still has enough ‘lip’ to catch my boot if I get too far out on the bolt.
Cost…$22 each. Yes, I know I can get the steel bolts for less than $1 each. I do use some of the steel in trees that I plan on hunting multiple times. I just leave them in the tree and don’t worry if someone steals them.
How can I justify spending $220 for 10 bolts? Well, I can’t. However, I can make a case that it makes as much sense as spending $190 for 4 Lone Wolf climbing sticks.
Here goes my argument:
4 Lone Wolf sticks, when placed 20” apart will get put your top step at exactly 200” (about 17 feet). Do the math if you don’t trust me. Each stick measures 30” from the top of the first step to the top of the third step (you don’t get all 32” of length in real world climbing).
By comparison, I can space each of my Titanium bolts 20” apart and reach a height of 200”. Therefore, my 10 bolts at $220 will reach the same height as a 4 pack of LW sticks at about $190. I can justify the price difference because my 10 bolts weigh 1lb 3oz and fit it my pocket vs. The 4 LW sticks weighing 10 lbs and packing at about 3 feet long by 1 foot high. You can add 6oz for my EZ-Kut (woodpecker) hand drill, but I only have to drill a tree one time. After that I just slide the bolts in the holes each time up.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my LW sticks. I use them when I hunt pines and poplars, which is quite often. For hardwoods, I will take my Mettec bolts every time.
My ambush saddle with the titanium bolts and hand drill weigh about 6lbs total. That is pretty light for a complete treestand/harness system. Absolutely, unnecessarily light, but awesomely cool.
I have pics, but can't figure out how to post????
Hope that helps for those who have asked.
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I really want to see those pics! That kind of thinking is pretty important if you're going to be hiking in to hunt.
thanks for sharing
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yes - please post pix
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Where are you at in NC Kevin? Might like to see this set up in person.
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Titanium bolts sound cool but I do not see why you do not use strap on steps? I personally was elated the day I could quit using screw in steps (20 years ago). I hated those things and they killed my elbows putting them in.
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I was thinking the same thing. I use LW sticks but would like to be more moblie and lightwieght. I get tired of drilling and screwing steps in so I though the strap ons would be the way to go. When it comes down to it LW sticks are easier and quicker just more of a pain to carry in with a saddle and backpack on. I use steps on trees that I will leave them in and sticks when I am moving around.These set ups are like quivers, you gotta try them all out and each set up has its adv. and disadv., thats what makes it fun.
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If someone will tutor me on posting pics, I will do it.
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Using the hand drill is MUCH easier on the elbows than screw in steps.
Hey, ckanous,
I am only 100 miles from you, near Asheville. My daughter plays travel volleyball, so I am usually in Hickory, Statesville area a couple of times a year. I'm sure we could figure out a way to meet up and let you try these out. Her travel season starts in January. Let me know and we can keep in touch.
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Yes, Lone Wolf sticks are easier to put up. No doubt. I like these for their lightweight and pocket-packability.
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How did you replace the tree strap with climbing rope? Are you using a larkshead to attach the rope to the tree and then a prussic with carabiner to attach to the tree saddle?
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In regard to the climbing rope replacing the tree strap, you nailed it. Larkshead via a figure 8 follow-through around the tree. Prussic and a Petzl Atache' carabiner to the waist belt. Slides like butter, absolutely quiet and can be hooked up in the dark in about 5 seconds. I sold all my Trophyline tether belts. The only disadvantage is that I can no longer lay my head on the flat strap and sleep because the carabiner is now in that spot as I am hanging there.
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Any help on posting pics????
I have good pics of my setup.
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An easy way is to host pics at another site such as photobucket and then simply copy and paste the IMG code into your post here.
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Ok, I read the FAQ and realize that I need to sign up for photobucket. Hopefully have pics up soon.
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I may have to try this setup. I've got a leather treesaddle that I cut the shoulder straps off of, but stopped using it because I still couldn't get the weight down enough for a long pack in.
I had planned to use the seat to my LW Sit and Climb as a seat to ground hunt, but your setup is coming in at around the same weight.
Are you using 4 bolts at the top for your platform?
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Test pic to see if I can post a pic of my setup...
(http://www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/view.sfly?fid=b0464a4d14c243936d9889752d9a603c)
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I usually use 3 bolts at the top unless its a really big tree. I can usually swing around enough with three bolts to shoot almost 360*, but I am very comfortable with my setup and technique. 4 would be better.
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next try...
(http:// [IMG]http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae63/mtsrunner/10-21-09/DSC00190-1.jpg )[/IMG]
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Sweet set-up, we should be friends. My main hunting setup is also a lightweight saddle with the straps cut off. I carry a dozen or so tree steps bundled in my pack with it, quiet and very compact. Most of my hunting I do I set up a new tree and hunt it, can silently be in a tree setup in 10-15 mins. Loooove my saddle. Your pegs sound sweet, would love to see a pic of your setup if you figure it out
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wow, this should not be this hard to post a pic. I have them on photobucket, but I can't get them to paste properly on this site!!!
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You need to take the extra img's out of the link It should look like
(http://picture link)
Here's your pic
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae63/mtsrunner/10-21-09/DSC00190-1.jpg)
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Im a tree saddle geek too ! I also would love to see pictures of your setup in use. Especially how you rig up the teather.
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On photo bucket when you put your curser over a pic a menu will pop up just click on the bottom choice ( just click once you dont have to do any thing else) then just paste here in your post.
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You should also read the Off Topic list.That picture may not last long.I'd like to see some better pictures of your sling setup.
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My setup...
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae63/mtsrunner/10-21-09/DSC00883AT.jpg)
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Thanks for all the help on posting pics. Here is the Titanium bolt next to a steel Treehopper bolt.
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae63/mtsrunner/10-21-09/DSC00924AT.jpg)
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Here is how I hang with my climbing rope/prussic/carabiner tether. Some people that have converted to this system like to put a treestep below the rope due to fear of it sliding down the tree. I have never experienced this issue. Once you 'load' the rope with your weight, it stays in place.
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae63/mtsrunner/10-21-09/DSC00927_1AT.jpg)
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Oops pic of bolts is to big only alowed 640 wide. Once you are logged on to photobucket hit the upload now botton and on the bottom of that page you will see Customize your upload options click on that and check 640-480 then all photos you upload from then on will be the right size to post here and you wont have to resize anything.
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Ok, I think I might have figured out how to get these pics sized appropriately. Let's try this one...
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae63/mtsrunner/10-21-09/DSC00923AT.jpg)
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Sorry about the pic size. I read the off topic thread and I am doing everything the way it said. When I am on photobucket the images are all 640 x 480 and I am copy and pasting the img code. Arrrgggghhhh!!!!!!!!!
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Sweeeeet ! Where did you get the drill and the titanium bolts ?
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Soory about that ! I see the bolt details in your first post !
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Wow, so you just screw in the bolts with no steps huh? That is a surprisingly small amount of thread. Those bolts are not slippery when you are standing or climbing on them?
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Looking at this, I wonder:
Why bother threading the Ti? They would be cheaper to make without threading them and they do not thread into the tree, they just slip in the hole, right?
I may have to check into that for my Saddle. Right now I use 4 LW Mini sticks with custom rope extensions to add an ectra 16" to each for almost no weight.
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i like your black strap on steps, after a few hours on my metal screw ins it gets a bit uncomfortable, those look like they would be nice for a long sit, where did you get them?
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LV 2 Hunt:
the bolts don't screw into the tree. The drill bit is slightly larger than the bolt, so the bolt just slides in to the hole. When you apply your weight to it, the threads grab the top of the hole. It is extremely solid.
They aren't really slippery because you wedge your foot against the tree and form a triangle of contact.
Boone:
The plastic steps were made by Ameristep and they were really sweet. Lawyers got involved...they got recalled and now they go for about $20 each when you can find them on ****!
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Very cool! I may work on this during the off season and pack into a backcountry blacktail spot in a Northern California wilderness next fall! Got some great stand spots but 10 miles is a long way to carry hang on steps!
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Zblearclaw,
Let me know when you kill one with your ultralight climbing system. I think that would be just the ticket for blacktail country.
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Tree saddle, (2pds) 10 ez-climb T steps, 8 for climbing, 4 for platform, 5pds. Where it is legal to use screw in steps. Linemans belt,(1pd) strap to hang from for saddle, (1 1/2) pds. Knee pads 1/4pd. Whole set up less that 10 pds, when you go back as far as I do, you can't get any lighter than this and be comfortable all day.
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Great setup, I'm another TreeSaddle fan. I'm not 100% with drilling holes in trees, but I definitely appreciate the weight savings with the Ti bolts. I'd like to try gaff's, but it's along the same lines as drilling IMO - so I use the LW steps, 3 is usually enough.
You can make the rope/prussik combo a little more secure by passing the carabiner end through the opposing end loop one additional time (instead of just passing it through the loop once, double it through again and then pull tight). This will flip the loop end and make a bite that will snug up the loop tight to the carabiner end. Then adjust the Prussik to length.
Interesting to know about the Ameristep plastic foot pegs, I was wondering why I hadn't seen them in a while. Glad I grabbed 5 when I found them a while back.
Steve O - Any chance you could post a pic of your extension on your mini sticks? It'd be awesome to get another 4 feet without having to carry my 4th stick!
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Is there instructions somewhere on the climbing rope/prussic/carabiner tether that you use? I like the looks of that system better than the strap that comes with the Treesaddle. Also, are there any alternatives to the Amristep strap on steps for your top positions? I have not been able to find them either.
Lot of good information on these.
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any pics of you shooting from your setup-
i would really love to see that- kinda put the whole picture together for me.
thanks
wayne
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Went to a climber and loved it.....bought a saddle and aint touched the climber but twice all year.
It is so mobile youll move to much if your not careful. Been drilling holes for many years and have not seen any ill effects on trees.
Ive used the LW sticks most of the season but got tired of making 2 trips to the truck when I killed something. Went back to the drill most of the time. Thinking about trying the climbing paws for when Im in close to the deer.
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what are climbing paws?
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dont worry- i found the climbing paws- pretty cool idea!- just a bit bulky i geuss- but nice and quiet!!