Thanks Scott, picked up some modifications to my 2tc rig that improved mine. Can now easily and safely climb even rough bark oak trees. Couple of things that helped me were: lengthening the running eye on the tether ropes, cinching the top one from the right and the bottom one from the left ( big improvement !) , the rigid saddle is awesome, having the thigh loop high up on my thigh seems to help me stay close to the tree but tighten the top tether when I need it to catch and support my weigh with good balance as I raise the bottom tether, using a 8 mm resc tech rope by tufelberger, have 3, 6-8 in sections of garden hose on the tethers to protect the rope and help me move it up or down, the longer running eye made a lot of difference. Now I can move the top tether up a good 2 feet and keep control of it and tighten it up holding the rope between my friction knot and the eye, that makes a lot of difference controlling the tethers. Some guys worry about the tethers dropping when you take your weight off, which could result in a serious fall and that is something to be very concerned about, but if you have your hand on the rope just under the running eye at the tree, before you stand up, you can control that easily, and practice does help A LOT! Once at hunting height you can tie off to another tether so if you stand up your tether stays tight to the tree. Oh and you mentioned chiggers, we’re in a drought down here in MS, scouted through a dried up swamp, walked through some dry swamp grass, and never had chiggers eat me up so bad !
Have you ever thought about putting a whale tail on the front of your seat so you could take the weight off your feet and still have your knees off the tree?
Thanks Scott, picked up some modifications to my 2tc rig that improved mine. Can now easily and safely climb even rough bark oak trees. Couple of things that helped me were: lengthening the running eye on the tether ropes, cinching the top one from the right and the bottom one from the left ( big improvement !) , the rigid saddle is awesome, having the thigh loop high up on my thigh seems to help me stay close to the tree but tighten the top tether when I need it to catch and support my weigh with good balance as I raise the bottom tether, using a 8 mm resc tech rope by tufelberger, have 3, 6-8 in sections of garden hose on the tethers to protect the rope and help me move it up or down, the longer running eye made a lot of difference. Now I can move the top tether up a good 2 feet and keep control of it and tighten it up holding the rope between my friction knot and the eye, that makes a lot of difference controlling the tethers. Some guys worry about the tethers dropping when you take your weight off, which could result in a serious fall and that is something to be very concerned about, but if you have your hand on the rope just under the running eye at the tree, before you stand up, you can control that easily, and practice does help A LOT! Once at hunting height you can tie off to another tether so if you stand up your tether stays tight to the tree. Oh and you mentioned chiggers, we’re in a drought down here in MS, scouted through a dried up swamp, walked through some dry swamp grass, and never had chiggers eat me up so bad !
Impressive... I wish I'd known you and this method 20 yr ago
Thanks, good idea.
Pretty slick, Scott!
Have you ever thought about putting a whale tail on the front of your seat so you could take the weight off your feet and still have your knees off the tree?
I don’t see anything that you’re tethered in to, that would prevent a fall.
that would destroy my back, no thx