Anybody use a rock climbing harness for hunting out of portable tree stands?

I've been a Hunter's Safety System vest guy for close to 20 years. Just got a new Lone Wolf Assault hand climber and I'm looking to upgrade my fall arrest system. I have a friend that loves his climbing harness and will let me try it but in the mean time, I was hoping for some opinions here of anyone who has actually used one. Pros, cons, likes dislikes. I've watched a bunch of online videos and like the idea of not hassling with the vest to don or remove layers while in the tree.

I'm not looking for this thread to turn into a ground vs. tree hunting debate, I like both. I'm also not interested in Tree Saddle hunting. Thanks in advance for any experiences.

I use one. I really like it over a harness. Pros: more compact. less expensive. easier to remove and put on extra jacket. Cons: I think if you were some how knocked unconscious when you fell you would probably end up hanging upside down.But hanging unconscious right side up for any length of time would be no picnic either. I also use a saddle but have to say Im more comfortable shooting from a conventional tree stand.

I do not, but if I was young again, I would, no doubt. I went to a tree saddle demonstration over the winter, in a guys barn, where the instructor, had it all set up, in there, on the big poles inside.

Anyway the guy was also a rock climber etc. At 70 I was the oldest guy there. It was a lot of fun, and I can see the attraction, for those saddle guys,,, all who were under 40, ha ha

Anyway he explained to me, that a rock climbing harness, is WAY safer than a full body arrest system, and showed me, literally with demonstrations, on the body, going on the fall.....

Now its a 10 foot ladder stand, if I even do go up but yes I tried it, and liked it very much

good luck to you

Maybe I'm wrong, but don't they attach on the front? If so wouldn't that interfere with shooting your bow?

Jus, I thought the same thing until I talked to my friend and watched a few videos. That is a big concern of mine and definitely one of the reasons why I plan on trying his before I commit to the switch. Everything I've heard and seen so far, no interference with shooting.

I'll weigh in with an opinion. Rock harness or an arborist harness is great if you are connected facing the tree all the time as in saddle hunting. But, You say you will be using this in a climber type tree stand. So, going up the tree you will be hooked to your harness in front, but then to turn around and sit in the seat - you would have to change your tie-on point to the rear loop to avoid having a rope in front of you. The rear loops on climbing harnesses are NOT rated to hold your weight.. At least they weren't on the ones I used. Just because you CAN hook up there, doesn't mean you should. Unless the one you are looking at is designed for that purpose. A fall arrest system is simply that. - stops you from hitting the ground. You can't hang in them forever, no matter what design. You'll get clots from the pressure slowing bloodflow - etc. What you need is for it to stop you from falling and then have a way to quickly get back in the stand. Hanging face towards the ground makes that awfully hard. As for clothing swaps... get a harness with chest straps but no vest. I wear a light jacket or vest over top of mine. Get hot, take that layer off. No problems. Be safe.

Can't figure out how to PM a photo. So I'll attach two here. This is my Gorilla Under a wool vest.

Again, I'm not saying a rock harness isn't somewhere in the realm of possibility...I just personally think this style is more secure in a forward-facing stand and don't see a reason to cut corners in that area. Hope this helps.

I use one and just adjust my tether attachment length to the tree longer so I can sit, stand and turn around. If you faLl you will end up facing the tree making it much easier to get back into the stand or onto your steps.

Great pics Brandon and thanks for them!

Question; What method do you use to attach from the ground up if you're using a portable climber? It looks like your Gorilla has attachments for a lineman's belt.

I hunt from a ladder type. Only have one tree worth any stand where I hunt lol. Hard to find one in the right spot out here if your not on the river. I have a "life line" - chunk of climbing rope attached to the tree and then a with a prussik (spell check) knot around the rope. My tether stays hooked to the prussik all the time. Push the Knot ahead of me on my way up the tree, I put it over my head with just barely enough slack in the tether to let me sit comfortably. I yank on that prussik hard before i sit so that it tightens. I have also hooked to a semi-permanent tree belt above me before... which involves opening my carabiner - but even then, the prussik stays.

One of the benefits of a rock climbing harness is if you do fall, you ARE facing the tree. They attach to the tether in front. With a standard safety harness, you will most likely be facing away from tree after a fall, as they attach on your back.

Rock and Flumer, thanks for the responses!

Do you guys have any issues with shooting with the attachment in front of you and, How are you attaching form the ground up in a portable climber (if you're using one)?

I’ve been using a Rock climbing harness for years now and love it! No interference when shooting my bow and great for hanging stands and sticks

Started using the rock climbing harness last year. I like the idea of facing the tree when hanging. The tether easily attaches to a life line when going up or down. The tether in the front does not bother shooting at all. The weird thing is that it might spin you around to face the tree if you took a dive. My harness has attachment loops for a lineman belt. I use the lineman belt for installing climbing sticks and when hanging the stand. The only drawback is when walking. The harness slides down. I put a single shoulder strap on for that. There was a thread here about the XBenn harness.

I use a rock climbing harness too.. the tether in front of me can be a pain, but with a some adjustment, i can get it out of the way while shooting... I like it much more than a regular harness, less bulk, lighter, easy on/off...

I use a black diamond rock harness. It’s great can’t ever imagine going back to the full harness.

Look up the thread "most quiet safety harness". It has a you tube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=771P5321Kgg

haven't osed one out of a treestand yet, but would without a doubt (been ground hunting so far). I have, however, used one for many years rock & ice climbing, and fallen more than enough times in one... a couple times for a longer fall than I'd like. Knowing how to use one properly is very important; they're not "foolproof".

Many can be anchoed from the back of the harness; look for a "belay strength haul loop".

Sandhiller; just an FYI: a slimbing harness always has a 'biner or webbing loop connecting the leg loops to the waist.

Like I said, haven't hunted in one, but was an avid climber, and licenced NYS climbing guide.

Yes, have preferred them for several years now. More utilitarian for hanging stands, etc. Just be aware that full body harnesses will generally suspend you upright. You can wind up upside down in a rock climbing harness...make contingency plans(screw in steps you can right yourself with, etc.), you can be dead in minutes that way.

I started using one last year. I won't be going back to the old style harnesses. Overall, I found it less cumbersome and quieter.

Literally a thousand falls in a RCH and never once did I end up in an inverted position. I have fallen from inverted positions,but still ended up right side up. I have seen and held thousands of falls,they all ended right side up. I'm sure it could happen,upside down,but I've never seen it. It is my opinion there is never any reason to be in a situation to suffer compression trauma. Given that you employ basic safety practices,linemans belt and tether,you should be able to extricate yourself from even an catastrophic failure of your stand no worse the wear but a little poo in your shorts. Learn to use the equipment if your going to put yourself in the situation.

I like mine RCH. Been using for 4 maybe 5 seasons. I have intentionally "fallen" out of the stand (stand was just off the ground by a few feet) to see what would happen. Because I have very little slack in the rope attached to the tree, it just swings you down and around, and into the tree. It's easy to get back into the stand because you aren't below the stand or away from the steps if your stand should fall from the tree.

I would be very leary testing a full body harness to see what would happen, and have never tried testing a full body harness.

Thanks for all the info fellas!

Could any of you fellas that are using a rock climbing harness make any recommendations as to specific makes and models? There seems to be a ton of them out there in a wide range of prices.

Thanks in advance!

I used a Petzl Sequoia tree saddle for years . Super lightweight but high dollar . 400$ plus

I use a Black Diamond Alpine bod harness. I would recommend the Black Diamond bod harness because it has the leg loops permanently affixed to the belay loop. Just make sure you understand how the Buckle works and where to tie into.

I remember first getting into tree stands, mostly that we made, before getting the heavy Screaming Eagles,,,, I mean we would climb ridiculous heights and spots,,,, we all wore Baker Belts around our waist, once we got in, thinking we were safe,,,,

How lucky most of us were,,,,, we have come along way,,, ha ha

Don't listen to all the BS about Rock Climbing harness. You don't unhook from the front and hook to the back. I tuck my tether rope under my right arm. The only thing I did to mine is to fix it with loops for lineman belt for climbing up. I use to use Seat of the Pants system but not anymore. I hunt out of a LOC-ON stand. It goes up with me and comes down with every hunt. Woodpecker drill or Bucksteps to get up the tree.

Try the RCH your friend has for sure. Make sure whatever you get has rings for a lineman belt. And when using a lifeline or when in stand only hook up to the front center ring. The ring on the back of mine is for shoulder straps.

I'll,stick to the hunter safety. I have mine rigged to let me down so I don't hang there if I fall.

I also have the Black Diamond Alpine Bod

Babysaph, How do you have your Hunter Safety rigged to let you down if you fall?

I’m also using a Black Diamond Add a ropeman to the safety line and you can operate it with one hand to let out slack or take it up.

I use one of those systems that you hook above you in the tree and it gradually lets you down in the event of a fall. hanging is no fun and i hunt by myself all the time

"LOL"

I keep very little slack in the line attached to the tree. I can easily adjust the prusik knot with my right hand. I can't really "fall" I just sort of swing into the tree if something happens.

Check out the Ytube for how it works.

Once I'm in my Loc-on by using my lineman's belt, I then hook my other tether to the tree and to the front of my rock climbing harness. The tether goes under my right arm. That's it. Sit or stand up and wait for a deer to come by. The BS is to the ones who don't think a Rock climbing harness won't work and not safe.

Dm/wolfskin, my apologies... I misinterpreted your post, and was a little reactive in my response. I get what you're saying now, and clearly understand you know how to use the gear - sorry for my earlier assumptions.

No problem Slowbowjoe.

Update:

I purchased the Black Diamond Alpine Bod harness for right around $50 about a month or so ago and can honestly say I really, really like it! I haven't hunted out of it yet (next weekend the 19th!) but have climbed with it around the house a lot with my Lone Wolf Assault hand climber.

The harness itself is well made, very comfortable and easy to adjust to be worn over clothes. Climbing up and down is a breeze using a life line around the tree with a prussick knot and I'm attached from the time my feet leave the ground until I get back down. I can easily shoot with it on from the stand sitting or standing and the harness nor the lifeline impede any movement or shooting (I've been practicing a lot out of the stand). I've done several mock fall tests from a couple feet up and am impressed with the harness's ability to just hold you suspended in a very comfortable sitting position plus the fact that you are facing the tree if you fall makes it very easy to self rescue.

All in all, I'm very pleased with the harness and the way it performs and am looking forward to hunting with it.

Thanks to all who responded on this thread or through PM's with advice. I hope everyone has a SAFE, memorable and blessed season!

Excellent! You were very wise to test it under controlled conditions.

Thanks Skeets, I've made too many mistakes to count in my bow hunting journey to leave much up to chance nowadays when it come to my equipment or gear. Missing a chance at an animal because of a mistake is a bummer but an experience I can learn from. Falling out of a tree or getting hurt because of a mistake sometimes affords no second chance to learn. Yep, I'm a rigorous tester!

Awesome

What did you do with your bow when you fell?

Wild Bill, I didn't have my bow on me when I tested the harness with the mock falls. I don't pull my bow up into the stand until I'm set up and then I hang it from a 3 armed screw in bow hanger and there it stays until I have deer coming in. I reckon if I fell while I was holding my bow I'd probably let it go, I can replace a bow. I hope I never have to find out what I'd do.

Great thread, I've been thinking about switching over to an RC harness with my run n gun set-up. I'll check out some vids, but I'm assuming you'd need one with loops rated for a lineman's rope? Or do they generally come with a strap to climb with?

Damon, you'll want to make sure the harness you get has loops that are rated for a lineman's belt. I use a climber so I don't need a lineman's belt just a safety rope around the tree to tether to. Check out Youtube for a ton of videos with different tips for using a RC harness specifically for hunting. I watched a bunch and tried my neighbors before I decided which one to go with for my hunting style. Good luck and have a safe season!

Thank you sir and same to you!

I had the same question. I have the XBenn harness which has lineman's "D" rings and a "D" ring in the front. However, it is heavier and has no waist belt to hold it up when walking. Also, the leg straps do not have quick detach buckles. But it works.

I use a swami belt from trees, a sort of climbing harness. You can pull the tether to the back, and then roll it to the front when you fall. Inversion will never happen.

I have made and used a lot of RCHs. It goes back that far. I don't think a good quality and well designed tree stand hunting harness has been designed. Rock climbing harnesses are not the right thing for a tree stand, though they will save your body for sure. Ideally in a stand, I like to be able to lean out supported from behind.

Most full body harnesses are badly designed. The tie in is too high up, and the ones that tie at the back up high are lethal. That design is designed for a situation where you are tethered either in a situation where a fall is basically impossible, or mostly where you are tethered to a crane that can put you down after a fall. I don't know if it is humanly possible to do a pull up and self-rescue while hanging suspend from a high back tether. And that seems to be the worst case scenario such harness users are anticipating.

In a climbing sit harnesses, inversion is unlikely, but then climbers are a slim lot. If 60 percent of your weight is above the belt line, your mileage could vary.

I use a lineman's belt on my Black Diamond Alpine Bod. It doesn't have lineman's loops, I just take a couple short nylon runners and choker them around the waist belt to create loops. Some guys have made some more permanent loops, but it works for me.

Good info guys. Thanks!

I use a Black Diamond also, and I don’t have any problems shooting. See the link, this is how I tether.

http://www.bluugnome.com/cyn_how-to/gear/purcell-prusik/purcell-prusik- tether.aspx

The BOD is what I use. It’s not perfect, but for my purposes, it is simply superior to the other options. I suppose I might change my mind if I were to spend some time in a tree saddle; that’s a harness and stand in one.

Might just be The Ticket for public land around here...

I notice the BOD has gear loops on the sides. Does anyone use them for a linemen belt ?

I notice the BOD has gear loops on the sides. Does anyone use them for a linemen belt ?

Nope, the loops on the side of the Bod are not rated for any kind of weight. Pretty obvious when you see them in person. I'll try to remember to snap a pic of how I use a lineman's belt with mine

I made the switch from a HSS Lite to an RCH about 4 years ago. Im a RH shooter and 90% of the time I'll stand or sit with my back to the tree and I position the tether so it comes around my left hip and clips to the front of the RCH with a carabiner. If I turn to face the tree the tether just drops down in front of me....a deer coming from behind me on my right side (with my back to the tree) is the trickiest shot so I try to set up where that possibility is minimized. I've never had an issue with the tether interfering with a shot and just find the RCH more comfortable.

Here's how I connect my lineman's rope. It's not perfect, but I get my stands hung. I am hanging from it in the second pic.

Probably goes without saying, but make sure any and all hardware, rope, straps, etc used is rated for climbing. Those little red straps are rated for almost 5000 lbs.

I don't see why one would use a lineman's rope with a climbing harness; the harness is designed to be used with a single tie in - with a webbing loop, or a locking carabiner, looped around the crotch loop and the waist belt.

I've never used a lineman's belt (but have a lot of experience with climbing... and falling... in a harness); maybe someone can explain to me why the lineman's bet rig would be an asset? I can tell you that rigging like that will alter the characteristics of the harness in a fall or hanging scenario.

Only time I use it is hanging a stand and getting my lifeline set. Just something to keep me from hitting the ground. It certainly alters the way you sit in the harness hanging. When hunting I anchor to the front loop as intended.

If you were planning on sitting or hanging in the harness for a while while hanging a stand you could anchor the lineman's rope to the front loop, just a little harder to move the rope like that.

Lineman's belt is for going up the tree. You hook up at crotch after you in your stand or saddle.

Flumer, good pics, instructions and a great Tee-Shirt! At least, "That's what she said".

Lol, good eye. And a great show. Someone pm'd me about those red straps, they're just Black Diamond nylon runners, 12 inch I think. I use a longer one to anchor to the tree while hunting. It's probably 48".

If you guys fall and can’t get back to your stand how do you guys get down

I have 30 foot of rope in a small bag attached to the harness that’s connected to a belay device. So if you fall and can’t get back up you can descend to the ground. It’s a must if your hunting in nasty terrain or even out of cell service. Gives my wife a piece of mind while I’m gone knowing I can self rescue.

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