I hook my pull up cord to my belt loop and when I get to the top I pull the stand up and hang it. I do climb back down to hook up my bow and pack BUT you can climb up only once and set the sticks, hang the stand, and hop right in and pull your bow up if you carry the stand on your back with the end of the rope attached to your bow. I have done both ways and I prefer to not have the stand on my back while climbing and it is only about 30 seconds to climb down and attach bow.