As far as the climber goes.. I always attach the lower section to the upper section w/ a strap or bungy... so that the bottom doesn't end up at the bottom of the tree. Yes.. I've been there before also... Otherwise you might look at a climber where you sit on the bottom portion.. and the hand climber gets put aside.. I use a Loggy Bayou stand like this.. and I put the climber either behind me.. or up quite a bit higher than my head. A few stands that come to mind of this style are the Loggy and the new Summit Clear Shot.

I do know that Dick's Sporting goods has an ad in our local paper this week that has a lock on stand for $35.. and a climbing stick (ladder) for $35.. and if you buy both or more than 1 of each.. they're only $30 each.