The method I use employs equal parts muscle and ignorance.

I make ladder stands about 18 feet tall with 2x4s and plywood, etc. They are awkward and as you say, top heavy. I find it necessary to tie the bottom of the ladder to something handy nearby, such as a tree or log, to prevent the bottom of the ladder from "kicking out" as you raise the platform and and push it towards the tree. I suppose you could drive a stake and tie to that if there's nothing else handy. You want to tie to something about at the location where you want the bottom of the ladder to end up, don't get too close to the tree.

If it is a tree you can climb, I suppose you may be able to rig a line with a pulley or maybe a 2:1 block and tackle and use a 4 wheeler or vehicle to raise it by the top. You still may need to tie the bottom, depending on how you position it before raising.