its not always easy by yourself. you have to be careful because i have run into some models that the top platform section was knocked out of the rails and came falling down. many of the new ones have locking pins. i put self tapping screw in mine to make sure the sections dont come apart in mid air if i snag a branch or something trying to set it against the tree. what i do now is walk the ladder stand upright a bit at a time like a fireman would foot an extension ladder. i use the base of the tree and put the bottom rungs agains it so as i work the ladder upright it cant slide. its not fun but it can be done in steps that way.

The hoist is a good idea if you have a way to get up in the tree first. If you do, just use a regular rope and pull it up. With no access to the height in the tree, it is a "cowboy up" project.

Thanks for the feedback

This one is a 23' home-built made out of 1 1/2" tubing, and it is HEAVY. Once it is up it is very comfy and solid as a rock, but it is so hard to move it only gets moved once in the summer. This year I brought a friend of mine (here is where you find out who your friends really are) and both of our boys. I put the feet about where they were supposed to go and had the boys stand on the bottom rung which is against the ground. Me and my buddy got on the platform end and both of us just walked it up together, wasn't too bad. The weight on the bottom rung keeps it from trying to flip as you walk it up. As long as they are about 15' they aren't too bad, but once they get 20'+ they turn into a PITA. The standing rule is, if it starts to fall just run away as fast as you can, don't try to stop it, it ain't worth getting hurt over. This one is solid enough it won't break,I don't have a problem with justletting it go.

The easiest way is to usesome kind of hoist like others have said .Climb the tree with a climber and attach a pulley or hitch to help you pull it up from the ground . Use mechanical advantage when ever possible . My motto in life has always been to work smarter not harder

We assemble ours on the ground.
Put the bottom up against the tree you are going in.
Pick up the top and then "walk" your hands up(actually down)the rungs
When it is mostly upright I just pick it straight up amd move it into position.
Stomp the bottom of the stand into the ground by standing on the bottom rund and jump up and down a little.
Then hook up the stabilizer bar and strap that goes half way up the stand and tree.
Carefully climb up to the top and hook up the ratchet strap.
All done except for trimming branches that are in the way.

Even though they are heavy it is still easier to me than putting in all those tree steps and hanging a hang on stand