Upgrade for Summit Climber

[nomad_archer]

So after probably 10 years of owning my summit climber and hunting exclusively out if it, I finally got fed up with the absolutely atrocious backpack straps that came with it. So I decided to give some of the Mil surplus Molle II backpack straps and kidney belt a try. I figured worst case scenario it didn't work out and I was out like $26. But it would be very difficult to have backpack straps workout worse than the summit straps. Needless to say I am very pleased with how everything worked out. I got the new backpack straps and kidney belt for about half of what the upgraded "summit" branded backpack straps would have cost. Like most of us hunters I take way to much stuff in so my climber + backpack and clothes ends up being quiet the load. It is really nice to be able to carry that on my hips now instead of my shoulders. I have climbed a few trees now and havent had any issues with the kidney belt interfering with my climbing.

Here it is all packed up ready to carry
http://i996.photobucket.com/albums/af88/tjm4077/IMG_20131030_142723_875_zps30f3ec4b.jpg (http://s996.photobucket.com/user/tjm4077/media/IMG_20131030_142723_875_zps30f3ec4b.jpg.html)

Everything is secured to the foot platform
http://i996.photobucket.com/albums/af88/tjm4077/IMG_20131030_142903_353_zps22a176b8.jpg (http://s996.photobucket.com/user/tjm4077/media/IMG_20131030_142903_353_zps22a176b8.jpg.html)

Here is how the backpack straps are secured.
http://i996.photobucket.com/albums/af88/tjm4077/IMG_20131030_142934_609_zps44e301b0.jpg (http://s996.photobucket.com/user/tjm4077/media/IMG_20131030_142934_609_zps44e301b0.jpg.html)

Here is how the kidney belt is secured
http://i996.photobucket.com/albums/af88/tjm4077/IMG_20131030_142924_125_zpsb452857d.jpg (http://s996.photobucket.com/user/tjm4077/media/IMG_20131030_142924_125_zpsb452857d.jpg.html)

[alpine]

Looks nice Where did you buy this?

[mrbb]

well I did that more or less 7-8 yrs ago to a lone wolf
BUt I used bungee cords to hold my pack to the stand , so I can carry it all in in a easy to tote rig
they made for fast on and off of the back pack too, and also helped to take any rattle out of it all
having a good back strap and belt /hip/kidney belt made a huge differencein how comfortable hauling it for sure
glad tyou figured it out
small things, some times make huge difference

[nomad_archer]

Mrbb with the summits the seat goes through the frame and around the back which is a convenient place to put my pack to carry everything in in one package. This just helps distribute the weight a bit better.

[nomad_archer]

Looks nice Where did you buy this?

Shoulder Straps
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOLLE-II-ACU-ENHANCED-SHOULDER-STRAPS-w-QUICK-RELEASE-LOAD-LIFTER-STRAPS-EXC-/261308652101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd7359a45

Kidney Belt
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Molle-II-WAISTBELT-Backpack-Frame-Digi-Camo-ACU-/260795568374?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb8a090f6

[mrbb]

well my pack has quick release straps I was using to mount it, but liked adding the bungee cors to snug it all up and make sure it didn't both fall off or make any sound
but cool
the Lone wolf rattles a lot with out them
but set up like this sure nake life easier on long walks in

[nomad_archer]

It is nice but even better was hunting out of ladder stands this year since there were not "climber" trees around. I set two up for my week long in PA and didnt need to pull the climber out. From base of the stand to set up in 5 minutes is what I was enjoying with the ladders this year. The downside is I have to burn an afternoon of hunting when I arrive at camp to set them up but it was well worth it. I'm not completely putting the climber away it will make an appearance during rifle season.

[mrbb]

hahah I have 17 ladderstands up all yr, so I know what you mean, my climber hasn't been used now in 3 yrs LOL
I even have a few ladderstands up at my hunting camp, been out for about 15 yrs now, just replace straps every so often and keep an eye on welds and such, funny yrs back when I bought them they were made of aluminum , and thus they don't rust> they were super light to carry way back in there too
and since then I never seen anymore made of aluminum , all the climbers seem to be, but ladders are not?? makes me wonder why?
and they were all round like 2 inch tube too, pretty beefy and still light
at 15+ yrs old, and still in great shape, I like them, wish they made more that way
my metal one's rust out about 8-9 yrs and don't trust them after that
and become scrap metal and need to be replaced

[alpine]

Thanks for the info

[nomad_archer]

where some of my stands were read very easy access good hunting spots but since I wont be in the for opening day of rifle they needed to come down. Those big ladders are a PIA to get up but one they are up they are great. I have a smaller ladder which isnt that comfortable but it is easy up and down and its the one I got my deer doe out of this year so go figure. But I really like using the ladder stands. It has me thinking that the shed on my camp may need to get just a little bigger to store all of the ladders we have up there. Good thing the neighbors are family and they have a big shed they let me keep my 2 ladders in.

[Bushman]

I like the backpack strap idea esp since i have to walk a half mile to my hunting location. I also need to change the climbing cables as they are 10+ y/o and to the metal in some spots.

[nomad_archer]

bushman I was in the same place last year. I finally broke down and replaced the cables.

[gonehunting 45]

Great post. This has to be 10 times better than the straps summit provides with their stands. Wasn't sure if they would work so I would never order them. Thanks for the pictures. Just ordered them.

[nomad_archer]

Awesome I hope you really enjoy it. I know I have so far. Though I haven't used the climber nearly as much as I used to. I have been introduced to the wild world of ladder stands this year but the climber is always in the truck in case I need to make a quick adjustment on want to try something different.

[Bushman]

My question is since my cables are worn down to the metal in places, i see you can buy the shrink wrap for them, or did u just replace the whole cables?

[nomad_archer]

I just replaced the whole cables since price wise the shrink wrap was about half the price of new cables I just went for the whole replacement then I didnt have to worry about getting the old stuff off and all of that.

[Bushman]

Prob what ill end up doin for peace of mind.

[nomad_archer]

That is what it came down to for me as well. This year I replaced the alligator strap that goes around the top portion of the stand to hold tight to the tree. It probably wasn't necessary but I figured it couldn't hurt.

[gonehunting 45]

Wow
Straps arrived today. A little tricky getting them on but once I got them adjusted wow what a difference. I should have done this years ago.

[nomad_archer]

I thought the same thing after I got it all together.

[gonehunting 45]

thought I would share. Worked out great.

[nomad_archer]

Looks perfect. Did you have a chance to use it and climb a tree

[gonehunting 45]

Looks perfect. Did you have a chance to use it and climb a tree


Not yet I haven't. Will be out this weekend.