One Sticking - Climbing System Update - Saddle Hunting 

Thank you, John! I appreciate you stopping by the channel. Thank you for all the knowledge and info you share on your channel so that we can all learn new things and practice them safely. If we're ever near Philly I'll definitely take you up on that. 👍🏼

@jrbtc I’m starting out with one stick climbing. My intent is to be tied in at all times via the tether and move up as I climb similar to what is shown in this video. One potential weakness I see in this method is when moving the tether higher as you climb to the top stick since that seems to introduce the just slack and hands underneath the rope. What’s the best way you’ve seen to minimize slack during that move. I just want to say thank you for all your expertise and videos. They’ve been very helpful.

@@GenXPatriots It does introduce a little slack in the line but not a lot. One fix would be to use the pole method John shows. I may try that but for now I'm okay with the little slack here. I do try to keep it minimal. Great question, chadsmb!

@@GenXPatriots as MadHunts has correctly mentioned, the concept of using a pole to set a hitch higher than we can reach is an effective technique for not only my "JRB Hitch Climbing" method, but stick climbing too. I will also add that you can also borrow the concept of 'switching sides' from hitch climbing and apply it to stick climbing. Don't advance your anchor: set a new one, higher, using the other end of the rope, get on it, release the lower one.... climb... repeat.

@@jrbtc thank you sir. Both valid options.

Thank you for the kind feedback, Scott! I always try to give credit where it is due and John has some great stuff on his channel. You are correct about him not selling things on his website and I misspoke in my video unintentionally. I appreciate you pointing that out and if I get the opportunity in any future videos while talking about any of John's systems I'll be sure to point that out. Thank you again. 👍🏼

Thank you for the feedback, Emmanuel! I can't take credit for this method but I'm glad I could share it with you! Thanks for watching!

😂😂 Thanks for watching, Dave! Always appreciate it! 👍🏼

Thanks for watching, grundan69! You should go for it! 👍🏼

Thanks for watching, Tommy! I'm really liking this method so far and stays in place really well.

Thanks for the feedback, J.R.O.! Yeah that little trick is pretty slick! I need to add some tape to the ends but it works really well.

I like the pole idea but haven't tried it yet. Let me know what you think. 👍🏼

Sounds like an awesome setup, Tom! Thanks for sharing. 👍🏼

You aren't the only one who feels that way 😂

No kidding, just count how many times he has to say JRB, I'm glad I'm not the only one. Man is smart but just hard to listen to.

I personally just didn't care for it even though I love one sticking. I ordered a standard QL so I'm not sure about the size in comparison to others. Part of my dislike of it was unscrewing it every time I had to get around a branch and then screwing it closed again, especially with cold hands. The JRB Cinch is SO much easier and faster and it stays in place without any gadgets holding it up. Thanks for the comment, youtoober87! I appreciate it. 👍🏼

He's got a ton of climbing knowledge so getting past his presentation style isn't a problem for me but I appreciate the comment, LiZzLeYt! 👍🏼

He's got a ton of climbing knowledge so getting past his presentation style isn't a problem for me but I appreciate the comment, Kevin! 👍🏼

Man I really appreciate that, Travis! Thank you for the support. 🤜🏼 Happy New Year to you as well!

The Full AJ, so do you use the DMM Phantom in the same fashion as folks are using the quick link? Like, side loading it? I'm guessing if it's small there wouldn't be much side loading, though.

@@madhuntsadventures What I used this year was a Camp Photon locking, Petzl Sm'D, and the Phantom. As to the side loading, I know it is not the most ideal however 1 it's being loaded into softer material and 2 I suspect the breaking strength to be somewhere around the gate open kn rating (minimum) for whatever carabiner you use. One good resource is the HowNOT2 channel, they strength test a lot of. climbing and rigging gear that has crossover into saddle hunting.

@@thefullaj Gotcha! I've watched several videos from HowNOT2 and find it very interesting. 👍🏼

Awesome, Charles! Thank you for the feedback! If you have any questions at all feel free to email me. I always respond. 👍🏼

Thank for the feedback, Paul. I did consider the running bowline option but thought the ease of clipping and unclipping the carabiner would be faster and easier but I may end up switching after I give the JRB Cinch a chance. So far I'm liking it. Thanks for watching! 👍🏼

@@madhuntsadventures yeah, I hear ya, I just don’t like the weight of the hardware. The JRB Cinch is pretty easy too. Especially untying it. Lol

@@paulcrave3112 I agree that there is a little more weight with this setup but it's hardly noticeable and it doesn't slip like a quick link. That's what I really like. lol

I also use a running bowline. This eliminates 2 pieces of equipment and gets the same result. It is also possible to push the running bowline up a tree with a telescoping pole while standing at the top of your first stick/movement. Using this method it is possible to get your climbing stick more than 15’ in two movements. I got the Idea from John in one of his videos where he was pushing a rope up a tree with a pole.

@@tomzygmunt6891 Yeah I have seen that video, Tom. Pretty cool! Thanks for sharing. I may look at other options in the future but I'm having fun with the JRB Cinch for the time being.

Thanks for watching, Brian!

Haha thanks, C Price! Your method looks great but I'm really enjoying the one sticking at the moment! I'm just glad that we can all do what we enjoy! 👍🏼

Very cool, 412OutdoorGuy! Yeah the heavier cord makes it much easier. How are you liking the JRB Cinch?

​@@madhuntsadventures So far I really like it. Much better than the quick link. It gets cold here in PA and I didn't like opening and closing the quick link with bare hands. The cinch also stays in place when not under load.

@@412OutdoorGuy I completely agree. Those are the reasons I prefer the JRB Cinch as well. I'm considering adding a pole to my setup to get my tether above me about 10-15 feet and seeing how I like that.

Hopefully you can start soon, Bravo! You've asked two different things with that question. Best saddle and best bang for your buck are much different from one another. Not to mention the answers will differ from person to person. For some guys money is not an issue while for others getting the "most for your money" is important. If you look at my saddle spreadsheet (found in any of my saddle review video descriptions)... ru-vid.com/group/PL9neNIncVSoxCywFGqu3tlMY99BPV6mPD ...you'll see how I've rated them by comfort as well as by all the many features offered for each saddle. Including price, weight, buckles, bridge type, etc. so the answer to your questions will be subjective. I do have personal favorites and you can easily pick them out on my spreadsheet so take a look at it and see what you think. Thank you for the question and feel free to email me at madhunts2@gmail.com for more specific info. 👍🏼

I would definitely agree, Tom. Once the JRB Cinch is pulled tight to the tree it doesn't slip until you introduce slack to it. If you're not going around branches I would say it's about the same speed as a quick link. But if you are going around branches this method is much quicker because you simple take off the carabiner and move it up. No unscrewing the QL and then screwing it back on. It's also much quieter. Great questions! Thanks for watching!

I'm liking it so far! 👍🏼

Awesome, H2motosports! Glad to hear it! If you have any questions at all don't hesitate to email me. 👍🏼

I didn't have to but pulling down the JRB Cinch does take a little more effort and a 5mm sterling cord is easier to hold on to so I switched. Thanks for the question, chadsmb!

Great question, Andrew! The pull down rope needs to be upgraded to the 5mm cord because it does take a little more effort to pull the main line through the rappel ring. The dynaglide is strong enough to handle it but it's very thin and harder on the hands. Thanks for watching! 👍🏼

@@madhuntsadventures That makes sense! I’ve gotten the rope hung up with my quick link and man is that a killer on the hands. I now take the dynaglide and attach it to the button on my beast stick then wrap it around the steps a few times so that I have a handle. That definitely helps! Thanks for all the help and great content. Keep it up! 🙌🏻

@@andrewpica2473 Thanks, Andrew!

Maybe a pair of mechanics gloves would take some of the bite out of the dynaglide. That’s my plan.

@@timothyspory6475 Possibly, Timothy! Let me know what you find out. I'd love to hear. 👍🏼

That sounds like some great gifts if you ask me! 🎉😂

I do need to try that for sure. I've considered it but have had so many other things to work on I just haven't taken the time. Thanks for the reminder, Michael. 👍🏼

I've considered trying it but I haven't yet. I do love the idea of the exploding hitch for removal. Sounds like I need to move it up the priority list. 😂

I think that is a great option, Know Sweat! I thought about using that system but decided to try the JRB Cinch first. I may end up trying the soft shackle in the future. 👍🏼

Thanks for watching, Josh! Well I bought my gear at different websites but I'll share them with you... 40' Sterling 9mm HTP rope: doublesteps.com/product/sterling-htp-static-rope/ 50' Sterling 5mm accessory cord: amzn.to/3hWfsPI Climbing rated locking carabiner: amzn.to/3C8uCby Rappel ring: amzn.to/3I8qewQ Mad Rock Safeguard: doublesteps.com/product/mad-rock-safeguard/ Sterling 5mm Auto Block (for rappelling): amzn.to/3G80T3Q If you have any questions let me know! 👍🏼

Great question, Victor! The Sterling accessory cord is beefier and easier to pull the JRB Cinch down with. It does take a little more effort to pull down the JRB Cinch compared to the quick link so the thicker cord makes it easier. Let me know what you think of the JRB Cinch when you switch. I'm curious what your thoughts on it will be. 👍🏼

Great question, Wayne! The quick link takes twice as long to lock/unlock compared to a locking biner and it is just noisier. Aluminum biners are also a little lighter than the steel quick link. I am considering switching to an auto locking biner and have been looking at them. What is not load bearing that you'd use a simple clip biner on? Just making sure I understand what you are using it for. 👍🏼

@@madhuntsadventures I'm experimenting with a clip carabiner rated at 12kn. What I mean about the load bearing issue is that the biner is being used as a toggle/lock and not really vertically load bearing. It is only bearing load of pulling down the system at end of hunt and not "load bearing" of body wt as a safety issue...if that makes sense.

@@waynepratt3222 Ahhh makes sense. I'm with you now. That would be much faster for sure. 👍🏼

Great question, Austin! Dynaglide is thiner and harder on the hands and it takes a little more effort to pull down the JRB Cinch. The thicker accessory cord makes it a little easier.

Great question, John! It does take more effort to pull the JRB Cinch down than the quick link so using the 5mm cord gives you a little more pulling power. The dynaglide is definitely strong enough to handle it but it is really thin and you'd need to use a stick as a handle to pull it down. Thanks for the question!

Great question, Michael! I'm using the HMS Concept TGL by Climbing Technology on my JRB Cinch because it is auto locking and it has the anti-cross loading (ACL) spring, and a climbing rated screw gate carabiner for my bridge.

Great question, Brian! I'd have to say that my favorite platform is the Latitude X-Wing. It's lightweight, easy to pack in, easy to set up, and has a lot of foot placement options with the aggressive shape. However, it is a little pricey. I also like the XOP Edge but it's a bit heavy. And I like the Treehopper Tree-Suit but it has its cons as well. The Latitude X-Wing checks every box, though. Here is my review of all three... Tree-Suit: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-moADh85AjwQ.html XOP Edge: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-74Xl7IgmhRI.html X-Wing: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fU9QtCh6zPU.html

@@madhuntsadventures thanks lost my predator xl and looking for another one

@@brianguest5622 Sorry to hear that, Brian! Hopefully you find one you like! 👍🏼

Thanks for the feedback, David! I keep my pull up rope in my dump pouch and only have it out while using it to pull up my bow or pull down my rappel rope once I'm done hunting so it's never out during my hunt. Thank you for watching! 👍🏼

Deer can't see orange and who hunts turkey from up in a tree?

You think deer can see orange? Yeah sure you're a hunter alright

@@lizzleyt5682I don’t hunt turkeys from up in a tree but turkeys walk by me when I’m deer hunting from a tree and a turkey do make a sound when alarmed and if deer are near by they do know what it means 🤔

@@mikeguy9668did I say I was a hunter I’m just thinking a orange rope blowing around in the woods wouldn’t be a good ideal 🤷‍♂️

Thank you, t. laf! I appreciate you watching.

I only kill the guilty ones. Lol.

No there is no data on any of the hitches JRB has come up with. He pulls on some of them with a rope and tractor but that's not exactly scientific...

There is an added carabiner and rappel ring while eliminating the QL and Ohm so there is slightly more bulk. However, the trade off is worth it to me because the JRB Cinch doesn't slip at all once it's set without adding anything to hold it in place. It's also much easier, faster, and quieter to move around branches with it. The dynaglide is definitely strong enough to do the job. However, it is very thin and it does take a little more effort to pull down the JRB Cinch and the 5mm cord is easier to use in doing so. I'm not sure about the strength of the system but I'm sure if you reached out to John at JRB he could give you an answer. Thanks for reaching out, Rooster! 👍🏼

Yeah I'm not sure what other testing might be done but the tractor test was pretty impressive. 👍🏼

@@madhuntsadventures thanks for answering. I'm gonna keep using the quick link for now. A little bow wax and mine is dead silent. But I see the jrb method has its advantages.

@@Rooster_king Great tip, Rooster! Thanks for sharing! 👍🏼

Thanks for the question, Aaron. I explained in the beginning of the video that I didn't like the quick link for a couple different reasons and wanted to switch to another method. I used the quick link method for awhile and didn't like it. The quick link sags unless you use something to hold it in place, the JRB Cinch does not. Once you cinch it to the tree it holds its place. The quick link is harder to open and close and takes twice as long as the carabiner used in the JRB Cinch method. Especially in cold weather conditions. The JRB Cinch is a better method than the quick link method in my opinion. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the reply but i think you misunderstood me question. I meant couldn't you use the quick link as the repell ring, since you already had it​@madhuntsadventures

Great question, Wayne! I'm using 9mm rope with the large ring and I could probably switch to the smaller ring so I'd think that would work fine. Thanks for reaching out. 👍🏼

Yes 8 mm will work with a smaller ring. That is what I am using and if you watch the video on this hitch on John's channel he goes over that.

I never had an Amsteel pull up rope but I was using Dynaglide which is super skinny. The new method is a little harder to pull down and having a larger diameter rope makes it easier to hold on to. Great question, Mike!

​@@madhuntsadventuresok so I've switched to this system and so far so good. And you're 100% right about the dynaglyde being a pain in the ass to pull. I started wrapping it around my climbing stick and pulling and it works great. I just didn't want the extra bulk of the accesory cord. I also run a ring of steps so I'm pretty much where I want to be as far as carrying gear

@@mikeguy9668 Awesome, Mike! Thanks for the feedback. I thought about using a stick on the end of the rope as well but then decided to just change to the 5mm cord. I could still go back if I change my mind. Thanks for sharing!

@@madhuntsadventures seems like you're good to go. Since you don't run a ring of steps in your system you've got the room for the 5mm cord. No reply necessary man but your channel has helped me alot with ideas. Keep it up!

​@@madhuntsadventuressorry to bug you again but I just got a tx5 Quickdraw and put it on my biner and on my rapel rope behind my Buffalo hitch knot instead of a separate rope or the tagend of the Buffalo hitch. It has a clip in the middle so when you come down all you do is unclip it so when you pull rope down out of the tree it's every bit as easy as when you're using just quicklink. It's the cord that's attached to the rope and the biner that makes it hard to pull down. If I described that crappy please let me know and I'll do a better job. But I'm telling you right now it's the ticket. Just remember to clip it back together when you role up

Love the comment and question, Jarred! I own a tether so that isn't an issue. However, in order to rappel down from hunting height you need a 40' rope and then you have to pull it down once you're on the ground. In order to pull down your rope you need a system that allows the rope to come down freely once you pull on it. So an 8' tether wouldn't help me when it comes to rappelling so I don't carry my 8' tether. Quick links and similar devices, along with 40' of rope are only used when you rappel down. When I use my three sticks I use my short tether and just climb down. Hope that answers your question. Thanks for watching!

Got ya👍. Makes sense , I thought you were using your repel rope as your tether as you went up. On my tether I just pull a hitch through the eye of my rope and it never slides. And my repel rope I just run through the eye after I wrap the tree and go. Maybe I’m doing it wrong if you have any suggestions ?I’m new to saddle hunting so just learning as much as I can. Thanks for the response 🤘🏼

@@jarredmeadows8160 You are correct, Jarred, I use my rappel rope as my tether and climb with it that way I don't need to carry an extra tether. The problem with running your rope through the eye is if/when you encounter a branch you'll have to pull all 40' back through the eye to get around the branch. That is why guys use quick links and why I switched to the JRB Cinch. All I have to do is disconnect the Cinch and reattach it above the branch and I can keep climbing with my rappel rope. I just don't want to carry a separate tether and with this method I don't have to. Hope that makes sense. I have a one-sticking video coming out soon showing how I climb. 👍🏼