This put a smile on my face. 21 years of military service and another 10 years military contracting. I am never shocked at how stupid people can be. How can someone do that well they will find a way. They will do short cuts. They will try unsafe methods just to be different. They will not pay attention. They will purposely not follow simple steps. They will not care. They will not put any effort into even their own safety. It is absolutely amazing and never ceases to shock other people but not me anymore.

good timing considering how many questions and issues we've been seeing.. Over the last two weeks I've seen more "kick out" complaints than any other issue.. Good stuff as always sir!

I have a Muddy Pro Stick and turned it into a one stick. The cleat it came with was super slippery and felt sketchy. I replaced it with one of those Harken ones and man... That thing is nice. It binds so well I don't have any more issues with slipping. Now I just need one with a proper platform.

Thanks for the detailed instructional videos. This is my first season 1 stick climbing (wouldn't have been able without your vids) and I already experienced a kickout. I'm glad it happened when I was tethered onto the tree rather than while using the linesman rope. The problem was that at the top portion of the tree, didn't have bark. I was DRT climbing before 1 sticking. It's also an awesome way to climb. Its big benefit is you can climb any size tree with a limb and the safest method. Its con is that I carry 4 pounds more into the woods vs the 1 sticking. Thanks, enjoying 1 stick climbing.

I just purchased the repel kit from Hang Free just to add another layer of redundancy. I've never found myself stuck up a tree because of a kick out or such, however, there is always that first time. On another note (whining), even with the black Friday discount codes being offered, the price of the gear is out the roof. I have looked at buying a "one stick" set-up, however, $400.00 plus is hard to swallow especially when you already have a set of Lone Wolf sticks in the shed.

Good advice! One thing I watch for when setting the stick that can cause the loose top standoff condition you mention is bumps on the tree where the standoffs contact the tree. If the standoffs, especially the bottom one, are resting on a bump you may get a false set where the stick is supported by the bump and the weight isn't spread equally between them. If I encounter a bump condition I either set the stick slightly higher or lower or rotate it slightly around the tree to take the bump out of play.

Great video it's things that every person one sticking should know. It's my first season one sticking and I love it way better than any other method.

I totally agree that this is what's causing all these broken and bent standoffs that keep popping up on the saddle hunting groups. The 4 points of contact being overlooked, and setting their stick with the bottom standoffs directly above a knot in the tree.

Hey man just wanted to say how helpful your videos are! Not so much this video “for me” but your platform reviews were awesome! It was between the onyx and cruzr or mini cruzr. Ended up getting the mini, so hopefully I’m a leaner not a sitter! Lol anyways thanks for all the time and content!

I ground the standoffs with an angle grinder, similar to a beast stick stand-off- bites way better almost to tight- also incorporate an SRT system in case you need to go back down you can capture progress with your tether

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and keep your videos coming please.

Great explanation! Thank you for sharing my friend!

Excellent instruction again!

I really like that platform profile. Does it exist in just a platform? I mean like a normal one with the strap above the platform. I aint no one sticker. No offense just not my thing

What are you using on the UP to wrap your amsteel around at the top when storing?