you got that right, almost impossible to climb on the side it is bending towards. another thing is that you will have to allow for the bend once you reach your height or your stand will not be flat, either tipped to far up, which is not too bad, or tipped down, which is terrible, feels like you are sliding off it. i try to find two trees close together or growing out of the same stump, that way i can swing between them once i get to the height i want, and either reach out and touch the other tree, or even use it to hang my bow on. first couple of times it will be rough, but the more you climb the better you will become. watch trees with smooth bark, especially in the rain, stand has a tendency to slip on these. and USE THE SAFETY HARNESS.