I have a camp member who has suggested I use one of his stands for opening bow season (he has been helping me learn the sport). I climbed part was up but was not comfortable going to the top. The stand is a API lock-on appx 25 feet up a tall, thin cypress tree. The bottom 2/3 of the tree has screw in steps that feel secure, but the last 1/3 require you to use 2-3 inch diameter tree limbs (about four of them). He told me he likes to make his stands difficult to access to keep others out.

How do I safely climb this stand? Physically, I am capable of getting up there, but at the moment, I am pretty cautious and want to do it safely. I have a safety belt harness from API (came with my lock on) which works like a line/pole belt. It loops around the tree and connects on each side of my waist to " D" rings located on the harness. This allows me to work the strap around and over the screw in spikes but when i get to the limbs, it seems problematic.

Any good ideas? By the way, he showed me how he does it. He just climbs straight up and puts the strap on when he gets to the top. I know some will say, don' t climb it and maybe that' s the best idea, but i would like to hunt this stand for our opener.

Seat of the pants saftey harness has a great add on rope you can get for their set-up. It has the same thing you are talking about with the " d" rings and works good for installing stands. For climbing they offer a 30 ft rope that you can install up by the stand. When your climbing you slide your slip knot up the rope as you go. As long as the rope is where your body is heading you can get right through where limbs are located.

Maybe you could use this set-up with your cuurent harness?