My Summit climber doesn't work like it used to?

I have an early Summit Viper tree stand I have had for years. I didn't get a chance to hunt with it all last year but finally got a chance to get my flintlock out with it a couple nights ago. I couldn't help but notice it doesn't want to go up the tree very well now? I flailed away for what seemed like 20 minutes and then to my horror realized after all that work I had left my pack on the ground :-( Fortunately I was only about 18" off the ground so was able to get off and retrieve my pack. I have decided I can see pretty well now at about 5 or 6' up the tree......

Is there a chance your cables are worn? I have the same stand, and last year bought the replacement cables you can get for them. It seemed to help.

i have the same climber i have found that bark on the tree has a lot to do with it some trees are just easier to climb
this will also help a lot http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunti...3Bcat104649480

Knots on the tree or small green twigs can cause no end of grief even if they are quite small. Also if the tree is too big its a no go. I love both of my Summit stands and have used them a lot. They always work if I do my part. I would suspect operator error or tree issues. Been there and have the tshirt.

Thanks guys. I am thinking my issue is more operator error, bad selection of trees, plus getting fat and old doesn't help. My stand is a heavy early steel one and does not have the quick climb stirrups. Maybe an upgrade is needed. I appreciate the help!

Tree Lounge. Only climber I ever had and I gave it away when I moved to North Dakota (few trees on my place) but it was a super climbing outfit. I spent many pleasant hours snoozing high above the forest floor.

I have two Summit climbers. I can be 30 feet up in a couple of minutes with almost zero effort. Give Summit a call had have them send you out a video. 800-353-0634.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjehWj19B8c

I had one of the old steel hand climbers! Was give to me! Couldn't get it to move! Gave up and used it as a hang on ! Best hang on I ever had! Was give to me after I got old! Best two climbers I ever had was a TimberTall Baby Lite, only weighed a little more than eleven lbs, and the second was an old Warren&Sweat, that weighed 14#! When you get old and walk 1 1/2 to 2 miles from truck to get to you want to hunt you get to thinking in terms of how much stuff weighs

I have a Summit, loudest thing I ever took into woods (besides my TC Omega). Packing it in, I could never get it get it to pack correctly. Finally bought a Lone Wolf.

I have the steel Summit Viper. Tree bark and small suckers will interfere with the cables. Never try to climb a hard maple, they are way too hard to get a proper bite. I find their shape can also interfere with a stable platform. Oaks and Sassafrass trees flair at the base and require a very steep angle which is hard to mount and start if you want a level stand at 20+ feet. Yellow Poplar are common where I hunt and provide the best tree of all if in the right place. I love the stand and feel secure using it. It can be noisy when snow is compressed to ice on the treads of one's boots though.

I started almost 40 years ago with a baker tree climber. I excitedly had to try it out at the house so the only tree available was a electric pole and at around 16 feet it let go and straight down all at once!! I can still feel the jolt of landing in my teeth. I learned real quick you need bark for that baby to work. The only other time it didn't work so good was after I for no reason at all gained about 20 pounds. And then there was the rainy archery morning I was half way up a slick wet tree and it let go!!! I hung on to the tree that hard going down I pulled the back muscles I used to draw my bow. I found this out about 2 hours later with a nice 6 point buck casually browsing by me as I stood on the ground behind a laurel bush and there was no way I could get the bow drawn! He finally saw the commotion of me trying the darnest to draw AND STOOOOD there and looked at me from 10 yards for about a minute and then slowly browsed along! I thoufht of throwing my hunting knife at him. Call me stupid and laugh, I can take it.