DIY treestand steps...need ideas.

[Mark Normand]

Originally posted by highpoint forge:
I'm going to get the 4 pack of LW sticks and be vigilant with the straps and buckles. I weigh 155.  I have a linemans harness at the inlaws farm. I'm looking for a harness system now. I really like the concept of the Rescue One CDS.

Glad to hear you say that, you will love the sticks.  Devise a consistent system of unpacking, putting up, and re-packing, easy deal.

[highpoint forge]

Harness and linemans setup comes with stand. Lifeline doesn't so I'll work on that in the interim. I'd prefer a lighter weight harness to the unit provided...

[ChuckC]

I have had some cheaper strap on steps break while I was setting up a stand.  Came straight down on a heel, on a root. .  owie big time, but nothing broken except my pride.  I came really close to looking like SSWV 'cept the steps were plastic (that part held, the buckle didn't).  Didn't rip me but I had rows of scrapes from the serrations on the steps I contacted.

I use LW sticks and love them.  So far I have been given no reason to not truct them with my life.  Yep, spendy. .  but so is the Dr.
ChuckC

[ChuckC]

Some one mentioned a climber. .  you know. .  I have never agree'd with that thought.  I can't think of a single place I can't go with my LW sticks and Chippewa stand that you can with a climber, but I can think of a ton of places I can go and the climber can't.  Unless you are climbing 30 or more feet high, and that just needs more sticks. I don't go higher than I can get with four sticks anyway.
ChuckC

[stickbowhntr]

everything is a risk but a few dz manufactured e-zy steps will beat home made ones any day.. I am 6'1" and 260.

[highpoint forge]

Well the harness LW includes is not really built for us lean and mean sized guys. Has anyone used the Hunters Safety System Ultralite or Gorilla G30? Looks pretty nice and not horribly expensive. Beyond that I'll go to a full climbing harness from Petzl or something. I'm amazed at how cheesy the hardware is on some of the harnesses out there. Single use items indeed. Cheapie buckles and seatbelt nylon. A little disappointing.

[lpcjon2]

I have trees with the lag bolts in them, and no problems unless its ice covered. I also have no problems with screw in steps either. I have some of the L shaped steps that you leave the bolt in the tree and just hook them on, love them but they are a little short for my feet(15 1/2"). The folding steps are very dangerous I had three in one year fail, as the pivot pin broke. If you use a safety rope to ascend and always keep three points(2 feet and a hand ,2 hands and a foot) of your body on steps as you climb you will be ok.
  Remember the lag bolts have to be thick and galvanized or they will deteriorate after a bit especially in pine trees.JMHO

[PeteA]

Years ago, in the late 70's I had made a set if L shaped steps. They were made id 1/4 iron. About 2 inches wide and probably 12" long including the right angle bend. They had 2 upside down key shots drilled in the upper portion which attached to the tree. We would screw 9/16 bolts about 1 1/2 long into the tree the distance of the 2 key slots. Leave a little over a 1/4 of room between the tree and the bolt head and slide the step over them. They weighed a ton. but worked great. Could remove them and leave your stand in the tree. We can up with this after a few screw in step failures. Still have 8 of these steps almost 35 years later.

[AMB]

I use an EZ kut drill and bolts now, used to use Simmons drill, never had trees to die I pull them every time that I climb.  Once drilled at the beginning of the season, holes will stay open till spring.  Been using this system for 20+ years.

If I use screw in steps, there is only one.  Ezy climb, I've not found a close second.  I pull these at the end of the season.

The LW sticks work great, just bulky and I don't use them unless I have to.