Thanks for some great info. I understand the physics behind getting up in a climber,and am nowjust curious how to get back down. I plan on practicing quite a bit before taking it into the field, and alwayswearing a harness. Iam leaning towards a climber.I am willing to spend $$$ on a good one,but just like anyone would be happy to get alot for not alot of money. Any suggestions?

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Summit makes a good climber. I've bought cheaper ones and not been happy. Heard good things
about Lone Wolf but too much $$$ for me now. Sometimes you can get a prior year's model on a Summit,
which isn't much different for a good price (probably not right now though).

I agree that practice/experience helps. Practice on a tree in your yard and you will have it licked with a
good climber in no time. You need to pick a good tree - not too slick, too thin, or too fat, and
one that maintains a fairly steady diameter.

Sometimes if you start too loose at the bottom by the time you get up there it will be leaning at a
downward angle, which is unsettling (try it wet!). So I try to start as high and tight as I can.

I love ladders if they are in a good spot b/c they are easy, quiet, don't work up a sweat, don't have to
haul up your gear, etc. But they aren't mobile. A lock-on is only as good as your climbing steps. They
can be dangerous if not put on the tree right.

Drop Tine makes some very good suggestions. PRACTICE!!!! Before you head out into the woods. My dad and I built my first climber back in 1984. I climbed a tree in the yard to see how it would work. I got about 10' off the ground and the bottom section slipped off my feet and rocked itself down to the ground. It wasn't a sit down climber like I have now so here I am hanging in the air. My dad had to get a 2x4 and push the bottom back up to me. I attached a rope between the two so that the bottom section would catch and lock if it ever slipped off again. I bought a new sit down climber last year and it has two straps just for that...use them. You also want to secure the stand to the tree once you get settled. I do this so it won't move around or fall. Some hunters use a bungie but I've switched over to a rachet tie down strap. It takes a little more to hook it up but it is safer. Getting down is just the opposite to getting up but to me a little hairier. You bring the top section down towards the bottom...lock it in...make sure it is secure...and then release the bottom and lower it. Stand up...lower the top...secure it by sitting down...and do the lower section again. You want to practice at a nice safe distance off the ground before climbing a great distance. The hardest part is judging the angle to set the stand so that it will be level at 20' up the tree. I misjudged it once and sat for a few hours holding myself into the stand. Luckily I have the front rail and I didn't have to shoot anything that afternoon.

Have fun climbing
Reid