Strap a climbing stand to the tree?

[Pete112288]

I have a climbing stand for the first time this year. I have tested it on some small trees on the home property but no long sits or anything. Does anyone advise strapping it to the tree once you get set? I know your weight holds it on with it biting onto the tree but I noticed that with much movement it can shift some, esp when I stand up and take the weight off of the top half it can shift some. I thought of taking up a couple straps to run around it to hold the pressure on the tree as if my full weight was on it. Oh and how do you hook up your harness to the tree when climbing. I wanted to have it so I could slide it up the tree as I climb so there is no time where I am not tied off.

[lokidog]

It doesn't hurt to throw a strap around the tree to stabilize your climber. As far as strapping in when climbing, you could make a loop just bigger than the tree and move it up ahead of yourself while having your harness strap attached to that.  If falling, it would probably grab after not too far of a drop.  This would be my "island" solution.   

[jaymark6655]

I do not strap my climber to the tree.  After I get everything at the height I want it, I sit on the bar for the top half and use the leverage to dig in further and then bounce a little on the bottom half.  I never have knock it loose and sometimes it requires some effort to get it loose for the climb down.  I always climb with a harness.  As soon as I steep in the stand, I attach the harness as high as it or I can reach, climb until my stand reaches the strap, loosen it and slide it up the tree, tighten and repeat.  The reverse for going down.  Just make sure you tie the two halves of the climber together with about 4 feet of line incase you drop the bottom half.

[Pete112288]

Thanks guys, that's what I figured. My next question was going to be about tieing the two halves together haha.

[treeclimber2852]

I carry a ratchet strap in my pack and I always ratchet down the seat section...makes me feel a bit more stable when I'm shifting around to get a bead on the critter.  I also have the bottom section attached to the upper with 2 ropes...just in case.  It only took one time being 30' up a tree and having your foot platform fall to the ground to learn the need for redundancy. 

[bracer40]

I carry a ratchet strap in my pack and I always ratchet down the seat section...makes me feel a bit more stable when I'm shifting around to get a bead on the critter.  I also have the bottom section attached to the upper with 2 ropes...just in case.  It only took one time being 30' up a tree and having your foot platform fall to the ground to learn the need for redundancy.

How the heck did you get down after your lower platform fell?

[seth30]

I just bought a climber myself.  Did some field trials in the yard   Was very confusing at first until I watched a few youtube videos.  The only part I did not care for was the backpacking assembly of it.  It feels as though its too loose and wants to fall off my shoulder straps.

[treeclimber2852]

I carry a ratchet strap in my pack and I always ratchet down the seat section...makes me feel a bit more stable when I'm shifting around to get a bead on the critter.  I also have the bottom section attached to the upper with 2 ropes...just in case.  It only took one time being 30' up a tree and having your foot platform fall to the ground to learn the need for redundancy.

How the heck did you get down after your lower platform fell?

Have you ever seen those polynesians climb up and down a coconut tree?  Imagine that...but WAY less graceful and a heck of a lot more cussing...I pretty much fell the last 8 feet because my arms were giving out and I already had a face full of bark.  I'm pretty sure there were a few deer hiding in the thick stuff laughing their a$$es off.