Using a safety harness with climber
 

What is the best or safest way to use a safety harness while using a climber? I don't use my climber that much but when I do I have always put the strap of my HSS around the tree once I finished climbing. Should I be strapping it to the tree when I leave the ground and sliding it up as I go? And if the strap is loose enough to slide up the tree would it hold me if I happen to fall or would the strap slide out of the buckle or could I possibly slide all the way down the tree? I was thinking about this Saturday when I was hunting out of my climber for the first time this year. I do trust my equipment but I just would like to be as safe as I can because accidents do happen. Thanks in advance for the help!!

I also use the HSS vest with my climber. It's best to tighten the strap every time you move it, otherwise it tends to get caught up in the belt on your climber as you move it up the tree. Fortunately, the HSS belt is really easy to tighten and loosen. The only time it really gives me grief is when the belt catches on the bark as I'm sliding it up (or down) the tree.

I think the ropes(or something simular) that the summit stands comes with are by far the best item to use in a climber. I just move them up the tree as I go. I think cabelas sells just the tree stand ropes and they arent very expensive. Might be worth checking out. I also have a HSS vest but don't have whatever strap they came with to put around the tree. The summit rope is effortless though, the adjustments on it are as easy as it gets.

as soon as i step on the platform of my climber the first thing that goes around the tree is my rope for my harness. i havent had any problems with sliding it up as i ascend. id rather take an extra 30 seconds then have the climber not grab and fall 15-20 feet to the ground. my viper came with a rope and a knot that can slide until tension is applied then it grabs.