Any one familiar with the stepladder system for tree climbing. This is the system that uses metal step brackets and bungie cords to climb the tree. According to the instructions, you tie the cord in a special knot that locks the metal brackets to the tree. Has anyone used it before? What do you think of the system?
Steppladders use ropes. You tie the knot and rotate the step into position. This acts as a cam and tightens the rope.
The steps are about 1 lb each and nestle together in a compact bag.
I have a set of 12 Steppladders and 4 Lone Wolf sticks. Both are good systems. I use the sticks with my Lone Wolf stand because they clamp onto the stand for packing.
I use the Steppladders with my Tree Saddle. I like the fact that the Steppladders will fit in a backpack with the saddle.
Interseptor,
I had one, used it extensively. The system is fine, however, you can do the same thing with either rapid rails or lone wolf sticks- the difference is you are setting up four steps at once with the rails or sticks, and you have to do four hang procedures to equal the rails/sticks with the stepladder.
I can move around limbs with RR -which was the big selling point of the stepladder- "wind your way around the limbs", except the most extreme cedars etc..and I don't hunt where there are many of those type trees to climb anyway..mostly hardwoods here.
I use them. They pack easily, go up quickly once you get the hang of it and I feel more comfortable climbing using them than the sticks I have.
I met Jim Stepp at a Bow Hunter Ed class I was teaching a few years ago. Nice guy. He brought along a few sets and let us try 'em out. Even ended up giving my buddy a set. Also brought along a whole mess of longbows... too bad he's a lefty!
I use Lone Wolf, API's or Centipede's for my sets.
Thanks to all for the imput. Ray, I think I am going to take a closer look at the rapid rails. I like you point about puting up complete sections to climb the tree. And it seems that there is not much difference in the weight of the rr and the steplander set. I could get multiple use out of the rr. I currently use the northstar system. The northstar ratchet on stand in great. I just have some isues with the stick ladder. Its light but because you have to put the sections together, you move around the hunting area to much. Not to mention the number of bulky ratchets you have to carry into the woods to use it. Thanks again!
Where can I see the steppladder system?
Try www.steppladder.com (http://www.steppladder.com)
I have a couple sets of the Steppladder. I like them, but last year I bought the Lone Wolf sticks and mostly used them. I would often carry several stepps with the climbing sticks in case I needed to go a little higher than just the sticks. Some trees are better suited to the Stepps though And if I have a tree with lots of limbs I still prefere the Stepps.
Mike