Climbing Steps Vs SRT: Fastest Tree Saddle Climbing Method

In this video we are comparing two popular Tree Saddle climbing methods for Bow Hunters, Climbing Steps vs SRT to determine what is the fastest method, pros and cons, and differences between each climbing style. Fastest climber to reach hunting height, shoot two arrows, climb/repel down and pack up wins

[@AlbeeSoaring]

Great video. For me I wanted something that was light weight and versatile. I looked at the SRT method and it seemed to me to be limited to specific types of trees and in my area those are slim. The multi stick method seemed bulky and was limited by quantity of sticks. I ended up going with the 1 stick method because it was light weight less expensive on start up cost and limits me to only as high as Im comfortable climbing. Ultimately there is a method for everyone and I dont think any are wrong as long as it gets you up in the tree safely.

[@jax9224]

One sticking is the lightest and real close to the same time as the others but it’s the quietest and you have no limits on height so I find it the best for me. Practice is key with all of it including hang ones and climbers. I have done it all and every change you make to a new climbing/hunting methods it’s going to cost a decent amount of money but you will have added another tool to the toolbox and you have also learned and have new experiences. One sticking is my go to. Support from southern Indiana.

[@Canadaman4403]

You are right about the practice practice practice part I got my new climbing one stick during hunting season and I got to say there is a learning curve no matter how many videos you watch but I’m on my sixth climb now and I can see the improvement dramatically I will be doing this all summer long for training because there’s nothing like being up in the saddle best freedom in a tree stand I’ve ever experienced

[@L2FlyMN]

It definitely takes practice to be efficient!!!!!! I used a climbing stand for many years, but it was near impossible to find a tree it could climb, plus the weight & the clanking noise trying to maneuver it through thick brush, frustration finally had me searching for a better way, plus trying to find a tree that didn’t have huge limbs, Y’s, nobs, bad leans………..Finally had to change tactics! 🤷🏼 Even when I tried the sticks, I was already repelling down my rope with a safety 8 so ditching the sticks for me was a more natural transition & better fit to go SRT, now with half rope, to eliminate even more unnecessary bulk from the pack. At 56, each year gets noticeably harder, things I once did with ease, I’m now finding is no longer possible. 🙄😔

[@LynnJynh9315]

I just wanted to ditch that damn Lineman's Rope. It's impossible to set sticks and keep it taut.

[@keithlambert6217]

This is a great and honest comparison. Thanks for putting it out there. Much closer than I thought it would be. For SRT you really need a preset for pre-dark morning hunts, or it creates a real racket.

[@Canadaman4403]

I am brand new at one stick climbing but it defies logic why the climbing stick guy isn’t using a repelling rope instead of climbing down the sticks and the aider? I know for a fact it’s easier to sit down and climb down and in the dark definitely much safer what’s the thought process in that? Dryland training or practice maybe

[@Dennis-mf8sw]

In fact this is NOT a fair comparison. Not at all. With a tree like was shown, I can throw ball it, rig it and be up in the tree in les that the step guy every day. I’d use a much different method and carry less rope, no devices and be more efficient. Not a good comparison at all.

[@danvanhoosen3086]

Good fun video! Have been doing hang on stands and climbers for a very long time. Saddle hunting for the last 3 years. Both hunters will get better with more practice but your total time was darn good. I always plan for about 15 minutes up and ready and 10 minutes to be packed up and on my way, that is if all goes according to plan and the tree. 😁

[@theprideoflife1688]

Great job guys. I like the srt but I can do either or both depending on circumstances. I appreciate y’all doing it without practice and showing how frustrating both methods can be. Keep up the good work.

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

@theprideoflife thanks for the comment, we appreciate the support. There’s a lot of climbing methods out there and preference changes a lot from hunter to hunter. We just do what works for us individually, only get better with practice

[@rightwayexteriorcleaning4206]

SRT is 10 times faster if you have a preset loop. Plus you guys put saddle on at the tree and all. When I go, my saddle is already on. So that being said, saddle ready, loop ready, you could have done that in less than 5 minutes

[@huntsail3727]

Interesting, nice job on the comparison. Thanks

[@dannybrowning2068]

Great job! setting your platform to one side of your stickies with help you getting up and down in the dark. i love the video

[@hobertgordon7465]

Just listening to him breathe doing the SRT is enough to convince me I don’t need to do that 🤣

[@codybabb147]

Bro he's a big dude yes he's going to breath heavy lol

[@wesblair77]

If he’s learn how to use a rope walking system he’d be way faster.

[@bfriendly100]

He said it was like his second and third time up in a tree using that system I said he did pretty damn good

[@bfriendly100]

I climb with the one stick method but am gonna start using SRT this year….. I love the idea of getting up into the big fat gnarly trees

[@L2FlyMN]

I started with sticks, & quickly transitioned over to SRT. I love this method so far, but I girth hitch the upper limb, keeping the paracord tied to it to get it back down later, but last year I came to my tree dehydrated & my fingers spasmed, curling tight to my palms becoming completely useless, took me 45 minutes to evacuate because of it, so that hunt was abandoned completely, hard to even figure out how to drive home like that, then the weather went into the toilet with roaring winds, rain, cold & snow, so never made it back out to try again. SRT is good, but it takes practice to be efficient. Half rope is even better!!!! Much of the rope mass, bulk & weight that isn’t absolutely unnecessary to get into the tree, is now gone!

[@308blr2]

Thank you for your effort. Any way you look at it you’re hauling a good bit of equipment. Regardless of the method I’ve learned you need a self rescue backup. Using DRT/MRS I still carry climbing webbing to girth hitch the tree and a figure 8 so that I can get out of an emergency situation. Keep learning and adapting! Stay safe!

[@keitha9489]

Fun video, I would strongly suggest adding a foot ascended to the SRT kit.

[@voiceforthevoicelesstruth5480]

Just one stick with an out on a limb top step platform up-rappel back down easiest lightest way!

[@byronbrush9030]

one stick sucks

[@bryceellington6195]

Considering switching to saddle hunting next season. I’m thinking about sticking up and then rappelling down. From this video it seems that would be very quick. Because the sticking up the tree was faster and rappelling down was faster than coming back down on the sticks. Could be faster having preset loops, but then you are limited to certain trees that have the loops already set in them.

[@timahern7214]

There are two reasons it was quicker 1 preset cords in the woods saves a huge amount of time not having to do the throw ball and 2 his climbing technique really needs some practice

[@caninphx]

@@timahern7214 as does.his knot tying and organization of his gear.

[@justinryan1488]

You should look into one sticking then

[@bryceellington6195]

@@justinryan1488 I think I’m too old, fat and out of shape for one sticking. Lol. I haven’t ruled it out completely though

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

This video was the second time ever doing srt. I had just got it and wanted to practice so made a video out of it.

[@aaronvenden8649]

More important to me to get into a hunting position ready to hunt… packing up quickly is not important at all

[@gordonneverdies]

I turned one of those muddy sticks into a one stick. It's not the best but it works for now. I love having nothing near the base of the tree. I've had deer see the multi sticks before and steer clear.

[@paulgeary531]

From a fitness perspective I think the SRT's hands down a much better workout! Ha.. but this is a great video guys thanks!

[@redball4093]

Good practice. Bouncing ideas off each other has benefit for sure.

[@terrycalvert7812]

Climbing SRT damn near killed him because he man handled him self up the tree instead of using the equipment right

[@huntermark1160]

Both methods are effective in the daylight. Walking into a new un scouted spot in the dark, It might be hard to toss the ball into the crotch of a tree. It's also probably a lot louder with the rope method. So which one of you two, sweat the most?

[@Dennis-mf8sw]

New area in the dark, sticks are your best option of these two ( or one-stick), but I’d still carry an 8mm rappel rope to double as tether and way down. I’d also climb with that tether for safety. A linesman is NOT a safety device. Slip off a step or have a step move on you and see what happens…

[@paulhunsicker4271]

Would have been a lot faster on the srt with some more practice on rigging. I just started this method as well and prefer to girth hitch the limb or crotch since I can then pull up both ends of the rope leaving no evidence below me in the set. Also SRT is loud to an extent. Hard to keep all the equipment from clicking together with every step. Try the DRT method, you may like it and it is nearly silent. The rappel down seems smoother to me too.

[@wendyandwalter40]

SRT is nearly silent if using knots, rather than mechanicals. In that scenario, "all that equipment" is a rope, some cordage, and a couple of carabiners. Go search JRB Agile Hitch.

[@MrHuntfishdive]

For SRT you should also set up the foot loop so your foot is under you and it’s more like standing up and keep your other foot on the tree. This will give you more upward movement than pushing off the tree like you were, also less work on your arms. 1sticking isn’t that hard. I find SRT to take more effort.

[@kennethrogers1129]

I guess you guys know about rope climbing other than SRT mechanical. SRT non mechanical and DSRT (double stationary rope technique) non mechanical, using cord hitches . Mechanical ascenders tend to chew up rope and ascend only, cord friction hitches can go either way silently. DRT, double rope in which the rope moves, Hitch climbing using a pole, SRT and DSRT using a pole, most guys use a throw ball but a pole is nice, there’s better ways than SRT with mechanical devices

[@enjoytheoutdoors101]

Nice video!.. Look into a sling shot, it helps with throw ball accuracy.

[@galenplummer302]

I do both and like both as they both have their place. In new areas i think sticks hands down are a better method especially in the dark. Areas where i hunt often and can use presets and areas where distance is a factor i prefer SRT. The way i SRT its a bit faster than this but its all in what youre used to. I do like the idea of using your tag end to hoist gear up though

[@TerryKetterer76]

SRT looks brutal man

[@americanmastiff7138]

I'd like to see 4 sticks vs one sticking

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

@American Mastiff, we don’t have the right materials for the one sticking method.but there are plenty of videos on KZbin that demonstrate it. In my opinion it is far too slow for my pace. Id hate to miss an opportunity on a deer taking too long to get up to shooting height. You have to anchor yourself and move the step each time you want to climb every 4 feet or so

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

Look up Hunt Urban channel, he does a pretty good demonstration of the one stick climbing method

[@buckstop1031]

I respect a hunter doing both. I don't one stick. It's too noisy and uses more force; thus causing more sweat.

[@Killada3pt]

The advantages of SRT are nice, but I think the disadvantages make it less appealing for mobile hunting. Dealing with all that in the dark just doesn't seem ideal. Maybe I'm missing something.

[@wendyandwalter40]

I've been SRT'ing this year, one sticking last. I find SRT (with knots, not mechanicals) easier in the dark. Less gear clanking around.

[@jasonpadgett8593]

I think I saw a video of another guy that used the one stick method up and then used is his haul rope to repel down. So a modification of the two methods? Seemed pretty slick to me.

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

@Jason Padgett, yeah that is the one stick method, they repel down but the process of climbing up the tree looks pretty slow to me. Look up the Hunt urban channel, he does a good demo of the one stick method

[@stullhead3531]

I'm leaning towards using SRT weight but I would use a foot ascender and a knee ascender. Using legs to walk up. Instead of pulling yourself up with mechanical advantage on the hand ascender. Now.... Ultimately the time that should be concerning is time to get hunting. Not so much the descent. Thanks though.

[@garrettsoutdoors9632]

I don’t know way srt guy is doing but def does not know what he is doing hell I have climbed srt 200 ft faster than that

[@UncleDanBand64]

Was that poison ivy you had your rope and bow in?

[@timgood8669]

Why not just one stick? It's super easy. 👌 great comparison video.

[@timahern7214]

SRT has to have the presets to make it work good. I use wild edge steps with a five step aider and while up there i will set a preset for SRT next time into that tree. They all have their own advantages so i have multiple methods. I have timed myself with a preset and it took me 4:30 to get to hunting height from the time i got to tree, the biggest is when its time to leave repel down in 30 seconds pull rope down and your done

[@jasonpadgett8593]

Which one of them was sweating more, sucking more wind, making more noise, and movement?

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

@Jason Padgett, I’d say both of us were sucking wind, we are both out of shape lol. As far as the noise is concerned you can be fairly quite if you take your time. We’ve never practiced at this speed. I think SRT would be harder to do in the dark without preset loops, but honestly I would have a red light on setting up sticks in the pitch black too

[@charlessherman7335]

Seemed more like a comparison of someone who was experienced and familiar with how to use their gear vs someone who wasn't.

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

@charles Sherman, I’d never used aiders before, I also used the tree tether while my brother shot strait from the rope. I rarely hunt out of the saddle, less then 15 times in 2 years. Only when on public, I wouldn’t call myself experienced by any means. I think you’re missing the point here, we elaborated on all those details at the end

[@charlessherman7335]

I get it, but it would probably be better if you recreate this after a month or more of using the gear. Then it might be more useful for people to judge which might be best for them.

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

@charles Sherman, stay tuned-my brother is going to do a “how to” video for SRT and go over what he bought and how to use it. He is leaving for Florida this Friday for some deep sea fishing. Deer season is in full effect here in Indiana, lots of new content to add. We both prefer to use our lock-on stands or ladder stands on our private ground. Occasionally we will hunt public, I plan on doing some military refuge hunts as well. Saddle hunting is great for that but I’d prefer not to carry anything if I have a choice, especially at the home farm. We both need a lot more practice if we want to become seasoned saddle hunters, unfortunately we both work 8-5’s and can’t hunt/fish all the time. Just weekend warriors like a lot of us out there👍🏻

[@pfv3462]

I have seen many arborist championships and have never seen slow motion after raising the climbing rope like this! You need to practice more, now it seems like you are doing it for the very first time! in case of an emergency wasp attack I prefer to use the climbing rope

[@ronniejohnson3781]

Sticks all day! Faster, easier , less room for error

[@fulllfreezer]

Pretty disappointed in how long it took to do that, I just wasted 300 on a saddle. I could of got up that tree with my 12lb climber shoot and ben down packed up in less than 10 min.

[@kermitmoen443]

It seems that the sticks takes a lot less physical strength

[@robertwilliamson6958]

If you had made this video, using a preset paracord loop, it would have been a blowout. Interesting.

[@bendeleckeiii4229]

If anyone is switching to saddle hunting.. it's totally awesome, so comfortable, safe and you can shoot 360° it just takes a bit of practice.

[@timlee9913]

How do u going to throw a rope in the dark. It's good idea but not for me especially is too loud by throw it up time n time again.

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

I guess I need to show the whole paracord loop presets. You don't need to use the throw ball during the season if you got your presets in all the trees you plan to hunt

[@LynnJynh9315]

He should have climbed on an Alpine Butterfly rather than Girth Hitching the base. He also needs a faster ascending method......

[@apexpredatoroutdoors8308]

Neither of those. I can't believe anyone still uses either of those methods They're so clumsy, slow and loud. 2TC is the way. There's no disassembling packed gear on the ground. I just walk up to the tree, hook up and climb. That takes a minute to hook up, and 3 minutes to get to 25 feet. There's nothing metal, so no unnatural noises. No platform is necessary, and total weight with saddle is about 4 lbs.

[@LIFEONTHELINE-xn8gs]

When are we going to see a redo. Watch how I S.R.T. with a special stick! Video title is (ONE STICKING). It's different. S.M.A.R.T. Method. Thats Stix Mechanical Advantage Rope Technique. No throw bag, No presets, No kneepads, No slack lines while one sticking, No bending over to grab stick, Its quieter, easier, and safer. No bull! If you like it plz help get the word out Thanks.

[@kevinnielsen4321]

My 2cents, set guy could have save a lot of time by organizing his equipment. Your stuff seemed scared all over the Forest floor , try setting it up right at the base of the tree. SRT guy practice a few more times and run the challenge again.

[@conraywest]

Dude makes srt look painful

[@nickschroeder1974]

What belay device were you using??

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

Petzl grigri +

[@denzerjeremy]

Each there own but I can promise you you are only marginly faster with those steps then some one with a one stick to the same height. I'm talking a couple min. Last night from pack on my back to 22 feet to my head (using a range finder) in 13 min. If I'm not mistaken it took you about 10. Fwiw that's not even trying to rush..just doing a regular climb trying to be quiet.

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

@jeremy Denzer, sounds like a good 4th video to the series. Come over to Indiana and we will race buddy!

[@denzerjeremy]

@@thestompinggroundsofficial LOL I have nothing to prove. Ive used both I know which I like better.

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

@jeremy Denzer, to each his own. Whatever works for you bud

[@michaelfrancis1715]

Didn’t like the SRT method or the single rope method. Seemed way to noisy

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

@michael Francis, my brother likes to go all out. I still like my climbing sticks👍🏻

[@paulcrave3112]

If you have a paracord loop preset in that tree you be up in no time.

[@thestompinggroundsofficial]

Yep, just tried to make it a fair comparison with all the steps included. The throw ball isn't something I take hunting.

[@Dennis-mf8sw]

Lot of variables here that presents an uneven comparison. This is not a good comparison. Obvious the rope climber is a novice at it. I’d beat the stick guy by a long shot, and I’m twice these guy’s age! But I’ve been rope climbing a year and a half now. I’d use a different method that takes a lot less rope, no devices and moves with more efficiency. So all the sticks climbers poopoo’n the system just don’t know what you don’t know. Also the biggest reason to rope climb is safety up and down the tree and while hanging. Always having a safe way to ground is imperative. I still use sticks on occasion, but always rappel down. Plus my entire rope rig weighs in at 6#, including platform. Add a pound if I need to carry throw ball. It wouldn’t surprise me if Muddy sponsored this vid…😂

[@zachcarter9927]

SRT Guy could climb that in less than a minute if he added a foot ascender. Guys killing himself getting up there

[@cjr4497]

I don't care for aiders that come out of the middle of the stick. It makes it way to hard to find the loop especially in the dark. I make my own and attach them to the steps as wide apart as possible. Makes finding the loop easy. That said I am looking into SRT to cut down on the weight. One sticking looks too tedious and is dangerous. All the guys I see do it introduce way too much slack into their rope when they get on top of their stick. If they take a fall with that much slack it will be one hell of a stop and they may hurt themselves very badly.

[@joshuamoore6299]

Trained vs untrained

[@mattjordan7861]

The srt is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. So much noise. To each their own but I would absolutely never srt

[@michaelpike3]

Extension ladder and a saddle platform would have smoked both y’all 🙂

[@bendeleckeiii4229]

Yea only need 60' max cuz if I have 60' I can go up 55'. You hook a carabiner to one end. Tie Para cord onto carabiner then choke tree limb. No anchor point, no ground scent cuz I get up then pull rope. If u use aider use only on bottom 1 or 2.

[@bendeleckeiii4229]

SRT is way better.. NO#1 is because you shave almost half the weight off your climbing gear no#2 not carrying Stix. I use both techniques but srt is ... 60' rope knee ascender, foot ascender and rope wrench. My whole set up went to 7lbs with platform