Lone Wolf Hand Climber

[GrimCity Brewer]

Earlier this year I was scrolling Kijiji, and came across someone selling a brand new Alpha Lone Wolf hand climber, still in the box, for $100 - yes that's right, $100.

As I was fortunate enough to see the ad minutes after it was posted, I was able to rush down to Burlington and scoop this fine piece of equipment up for one heck of a deal.

Two seasons ago I had been using a summit Viper. While I liked the unit, I found it extremely heavy and bulky on my 1.5 km walk into the woods, and ended up selling it by the end of the season. Long story short, I'm absolutely loving this unit. It's light, it's simple and packs down to nothing. I can use just the seat to sit at the base of any tree, and actually took a doe this controlled hunt using just the seat.

Who else is using one of these? Who else has used these? Any good mods? Anyone using a crossbow out of one of these?

I hunt mostly in the Hamilton/Haldimand area and would love to know who else is using one of these units successfully in this area or an area with similar bush and tree landscape.

[LowbanksArcher]

You definitely scored with that stand for $100. Assault Hand Climber or Hand Climber II ? The weight difference between most of these new aluminum climbers is pretty negligible. Summit and LW are within a pound of each other.
I like the sit-n-climb stands. Have been using a Summit Viper SD for years now and no longer hunt fixed stands at all. Strictly mobile. This year I picked up a used LW FlipTop climber and decided to hunt with it all season to get comfortable with it. But, my season ended when I took a deer on my 4th hunt. That said, I went from hating it on my first hunt, to deciding that I'll probably keep it by the 4th sit. I do find the Summit's a bit more user friendly though.

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[cath8r]

I've had mine for 10 or 12 years. I find it is best for 4 hour sits or less. I use a lash strap to keep the seat to the base for packing it in/out.
I use that strap to attach the seat to the platform. Just makes things faster/more user friendly. It's pretty easy to get along with. You'll love it!

[DanO]

I have a Viper Summit as well. I do find it fairly heavy and really noisy to set up. I'd never even attempt it predawn. Is the LW really that much lighter? Opinions seem to differ here.

[LowbanksArcher]

I have a Viper Summit as well. I do find it fairly heavy and really noisy to set up. I'd never even attempt it predawn. Is the LW really that much lighter? Opinions seem to differ here.

Summit Viper SD is 20lbs
LoneWolf sit n climb is 20lbs

Summit Open Shot SD (hand climber) is 15lbs
LW Assault Hand Climber is 14.7lbs
LW Hand Climber II is 17.5lbs

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[Ontariofarmer]

Summit Viper SD is 20lbs
LoneWolf sit n climb is 20lbs

Summit Open Shot SD (hand climber) is 15lbs
LW Assault Hand Climber is 14.7lbs
LW Hand Climber II is 17.5lbs

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A New tribe Kestrel saddle is 4 pounds. It beats them all and is more versatile, lighter, comfortable, packable or wearable. I have one. It came out in September this year.

[LowbanksArcher]

A New tribe Kestrel saddle is 4 pounds. It beats them all and is more versatile, lighter, comfortable, packable or wearable. I have one. It came out in September this year.

Very cool. I don't know much about tree saddles and have certainly never used one. But my understanding is that you need to hang climbing gear and prep trees ahead of time. Which to me, makes it no longer truly mobile. I also can't see it being ideal when bringing extra junk like a camera arm + camera

[Ontariofarmer]

Very cool. I don't know much about tree saddles and have certainly never used one. But my understanding is that you need to hang climbing gear and prep trees ahead of time. Which to me, makes it no longer truly mobile. I also can't see it being ideal when bringing extra junk like a camera arm + camera

Prep is only necessary when it is necessary with any other hunting method. I usually carry two muddy pro sticks with aiders which weigh 6 pounds. I can climb 15 feet with them and use the one stick method if I want to go higher. Saddle hunter com has more information. Unlike a climber I can hunt ant tree and my stand is quiet and compact.


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[ride.lift.shoot]

I have been using an API climber very similar to the summit viper. I recently ordered off ebay a molle ii rucksack, and took the hip and shoulder straps off that, it makes that 20lbs feel like 10lbs, and with it fitting tighter to my back it's more comfortable and less noisy.