GregH, wow sorry to hear about your friend. To do it properly the treestand should probably be on the ground with a rope attached to it and pulled up once the sticks or steps are in place.I trust my safety line system and there is no way Ican fall unless theequipment fails. I feel it is more dangerous trying to carry a stand on a strap up a tree because your handsand bodyaren't free for climbing and thebulky awkwardness of a stand on a strapin my hands or on my shoulder hinders my ability to have total use of my hands. One could fall and impale himself on the corner of the stand too.
Man, you are tougher than me; those screw in steps are way too much work for my liking.
To each his own though; whatever works for you. I trust my safety equipment to keep me safe and the stand on my back while climbing is the safest, easiest, quietestwayI have tried or found.

BTW; HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!