I also use the Lone Wolf. I converted my old V Bar to the new Alpha System and could not be happier. I live and use my stand in Wisconsin and have never had a problem using this stand in the cold weather during late season. I have read about people having problems opening the cams in the bitter cold, but I have never experienced this. Sure they open and close a little harder in the cold, but it's not a big deal. I use the pull up method to climb, this seems to be the easiest and fastest way to get up and down (IMO)