RE: summit stand failure
LOVE my Goliath...........one of the reasons I bought the Goliath though was I wanted to be WELL below the weight max (350 goliath). I hover around 190 and with max gear on probably 225 during gun season. I always wear a harness and honestly have ZERO fear in my Summit..........and I don't like heights.
I have been up skinny trees and monsters, smooth bark, frozen, wet, straight, crooked, windy, and every height up to 30 feet...........even been in a telephone pole. If I have any problem with my stand it is that I have so much faith in it that it clouds my judgement and I feel like I can climb anywhere with it.........I readily admit to MANY stunts while climbing that you would never see Tom Miranda do in your instruction video (does he still do the video??).
I also have nothing but 100% praise for their customer service.
I'm sure I would feel VERY differently if I had a stand crumple under me like you did though. Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you are OK.