The way both Matt / PA and I do it when we're hanging sticks is to build them as we push them up... in other words, we start with the top section, insert that into the section below it, and push it up the tree. We then insert the next one below the newly assembled section, push it up, and keep going.

When we get the whole set assembled and pushed up the tree, we strap the bottom section down good and tight, and then take the strap for the next section and step up onto that one and secure that one. If you keep doing this until all the sections are strapped on, you'll never be climbing a section that's not secured by all the sectionsbelow. Easy as pie, really... though I may not be making it sound that way.