Mike, I feel you with the climbing sticks and having to remove a hand to move the prussic. However, although I have not tested the harness I made yet, I plan on lettin the rope hand down right beside my climbing poles and just push it up as far as possible every few feet. That should be pretty easy to do. If you fall, yes you will get slammed against the tree or the climbing sticks, but that beats hitting the ground, a few bruises will never be as bad as a broken neck. Also, as far as the rope sliding down the tree, I don't see that happening, the pressure from your weight should lock the rope in place without any problems, if anything you will have a slower fall, which I highly doubt would injure you.

Safe climbing!!