How would you safely slide the prussic know up the rope while climbing? You would have to remove at least one hand from the ladder while climbing and this doesn't seem very safe to me. When climbing, I always have both hands and feet on the ladder at all times. Anybody tried this yet?
Mike, the rope is first tied at about waist height (when standing in your stand). The remaining rope then hangs to the ground. I then use a screw in step and tie the bottom end of the rope on to the step,
so the rope is now tied at both ends. This allows the prissic knot to slide up or down on the rope very easilly.
As for 'removing' your hand--you do that everytime you move from one step to the other, it's a hand then a foot, then a hand then a foot--it would be almost 'impossible to climb' a tree if both of your hands and feet were 'always' in contact with the climbing stick--think about it.
So while that hand is in transition, just slide the prussic knot and then hold on to the next step.
It's very safe--and like I've said, branches ain't a problem.
Also once weight is applied to the prussic knot it locks easily to the anchor rope, once you get the hang of it you'll never climb another tree without one!!!