I started a thread a few days ago about falling out of my tree stand with a rock climbing harness and some people wanted to know my setup and how it was.
First is the harness- I went with the Black Diamond BOD. This is one of the cheaper harnesses out there but works great and did everything I could ask of it(Save my life). It is a very simple harness, you step into the waist belt and sinch it tight, then bring the leg buckles around and snap them in and your done. It is very small, lightweight, and easily packs into the bag it comes with for easy storage. Price-$40 TYD
![]()
Next is the rope attachment- For the main line I used 8ft (I would suggest 10ft, as its hard to climb bigger trees) of 11mm static rope. On one end tie a double figure 8 knot to give you the loop, and on the other end you can either tie a overhand knot like I did, or a smaller double figure 8 knot(so you can also clip your carabiner into as a fail safe if the prusik rope broke). For the prusik rope I used 7mm and tied a double figure 8 knot with the two ends. Both ropes were bought from REI for $15 TYD
![]()
![]()
![]()
So I paid only $55 FOR THE WHOLE SET UP
Attachment- To attach to the tree I just girth hitch the tree and connect to the prusik rope via a carabiner. I can use the same rope as my linemans rope and tether once I reach the top. To use it as a linemans rope it is easiest with a mobile set up such as a climber or hand-on and sticks. I would suggest a life line to climb into a permanent stand so you dont have to go over steps with the girth hitch and your stand at the top. You just losen the girth hitch and slide it up the tree as high as possible so the rope is tight, you can then lean back with no hands to attach your next stick. Once at the top i place the girth hitch just above waist level. As a right handed shooter you want the tether to run on the right side of your body to the front that way you can stand and have full mobility to shoot.
![]()
First is the harness- I went with the Black Diamond BOD. This is one of the cheaper harnesses out there but works great and did everything I could ask of it(Save my life). It is a very simple harness, you step into the waist belt and sinch it tight, then bring the leg buckles around and snap them in and your done. It is very small, lightweight, and easily packs into the bag it comes with for easy storage. Price-$40 TYD
Next is the rope attachment- For the main line I used 8ft (I would suggest 10ft, as its hard to climb bigger trees) of 11mm static rope. On one end tie a double figure 8 knot to give you the loop, and on the other end you can either tie a overhand knot like I did, or a smaller double figure 8 knot(so you can also clip your carabiner into as a fail safe if the prusik rope broke). For the prusik rope I used 7mm and tied a double figure 8 knot with the two ends. Both ropes were bought from REI for $15 TYD
So I paid only $55 FOR THE WHOLE SET UP
Attachment- To attach to the tree I just girth hitch the tree and connect to the prusik rope via a carabiner. I can use the same rope as my linemans rope and tether once I reach the top. To use it as a linemans rope it is easiest with a mobile set up such as a climber or hand-on and sticks. I would suggest a life line to climb into a permanent stand so you dont have to go over steps with the girth hitch and your stand at the top. You just losen the girth hitch and slide it up the tree as high as possible so the rope is tight, you can then lean back with no hands to attach your next stick. Once at the top i place the girth hitch just above waist level. As a right handed shooter you want the tether to run on the right side of your body to the front that way you can stand and have full mobility to shoot.
