DIY: Tie A Multi-Step Aider for Getting Higher in the Tree

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Warning: climbing trees is a dangerous activities. This post is to give insight into how I made my aider, but be sure to consult an expert prior attempting on your own. Full Disclaimer

I’ve been using my current aider system successfully for two seasons now, but lately I’ve been looking for ways to lighten up my pack. One way was to drop a stick or two by introducing a multi-step aider.

Raise Your Treestand Height By Tying Your Own Climbing Aider:
Tying a climbing aider with tubular webbing Learn How

This method will allow me to string together multiple aider steps as needed in the future as each step is independent and daisy-chained together.

Building the Aider

Materials Needed

• 3/16″ Amsteel
• 5/16″ Fuel Line
• 1″ Tubular Webbing
• Knitting Needles
  • Size 13 (used for splicing doubled-over 3/16″ or 1/4″)
  • Size 11 (used for splicing and burying 3/16″ Amsteel)
  • Size 8/9/10 (used for pushing Amsteel)

Tie A Single Aider

Step 1: Measure and Cut A Length of Amsteel

To tie an 18″ aider, I use a ruler to make the following marks on a piece of amsteel, starting at the tag end:

• 10″ – This will serve as the “bury” after your Brummel Splice on the first side
• 4″ – This will form the loop of your splice on the first side, used to hang the aider on a stick, or daisy chain to another aider
• 22.5″ – This will form the 18″ step on the first side. About 4.5″ is added to accommodate shrinkage due to burying 10″ of amsteel
• 10″ – This will serve as the step of the aider
• 22.5″ – This will form the 18″ step on the second side
• 4″ – This will form the loop of your splice on the second side
• 10″ – This will serve as the “bury” after your Brummel Splice on the second side

The total length of amsteel is 83″.

Step 2: Tie A Brummel Splice on the First Tag End

Tie a brummel splice on the tag end of the amsteel, ensuring your 4″ and 10″ marks meet to form a loop. Feed the long end back through to lock the splice.

Step 3: Bury the Tag

Using a fid (I use a Size 11 knitting needle for 3/16″ amsteel), bury the 10″ tag below the brummel splice.

Step 4: Cut A Length of Fuel Line for the Step

Cut a 9.75″ length of 5/16″ fuel line (I use PVC pipe cutters) and thread it onto the amsteel aider.

Step 5: Tie A Brummel Splice on the Fixed End

With the fuel line step threaded, form the loop for your 2nd brummel splice, matching up the 2nd 4″ and 10″ marks.

Locking a brummel splice on a fixed end rope (you can backthread the other brummel and fuel line) is slightly different than locking a free rope.

Pass the loop back through the main line and pull tight. Then pass the tag end through the same hole to remove the line twist.

Step 6: Bury the Tag

Using a fid (I use a Size 11 knitting needle for 3/16″ amsteel), bury the 10″ tag below the brummel splice.

Daisy-chain the Aiders

I make multiple aiders using the instructions above and daisy-chain them together.

Step 1: Mark the Step Lengths

Measure 18″ from the bottom of each brummel splice and loosen the amsteel to mark it.

Step 2: Splice the First Side of the Second Aider

Pass the tag end of your second aider through the marked connection points on the first aider.

Once passed through the center, place the loop on the tag end of the second aider over the loop of the tag end of the first aider to lock each the side in place.

Step 3: Splice the Second Side of the Second Aider with Foot Support

Repeat attaching the aider on the other side.

Step 4: Repeat

Repeat splicing for the third and final aider.

Step 5: Add Abrasion Protection

Measure two lengths of tubular webbing 18″ long. This will serve to avoid abrasion on the top step. Thread over the top step brummel.

Step 8: Splice Shock Cord to Bottom Step

Splice a small loop of shock cord to the middle of the third step for stowing.

Using the Aider

I only use a multi-step aider on my bottom stick. I outline my technique for maximizing that aider below:

Step 1: Attach A Stick To Step Up

The goal is to hang your first stick where the bottom step of the aider is at your maximum comfortable step height. I’ve found I can’t easily reach that high so I take my 2nd stick and temporarily attach it to the bottom of the tree where the top step of the stick is about half a step above the target height for the bottom loop.

Step up on to the stick and use the extra height to attach the first stick.

Step 2: Attach the Aider to the Climbing Stick

Slip the aider loops over the bottom rung of your climbing stick by sliding the abrasion protected line through the loop to make a girth hitch.

Step 3: Climb Up

Remove the bottom step used to reach higher, step in the aider, dig your toe into the tree and use your lineman’s belt for leverage pulling up the tree.