Was it trilene big game>? Hell Ive hoisted christmas trees off the bottom of the lake with it! Your bow must be cast from lead!

Your too old to be climbing stands. Your also old enogh to forget things except things from 40 years ago.

Lets say a tree rat has shortened it up?

I used to use a Primos bow sling and I did on one occasion forget to attach a rope to my Viper. Just threw the sling over my head and shoulders and up I went.

I think the general concensus is that most of us won't turn around and trudge our way back to the vehicle. If you feel comfortable/safe enough to climb with your bow then go ahead, but it's not reccomended. I've done it numerous times. I feel just as confident hunting from the ground (stealth mode)!!!

I look at it this way, build a safe set of stairs and accidents will be limited to being very rare. Problem is most are clueless as to how to do it or concerned enough to do it right. They however rely on a harness almost betting they have to use it, that isn't good. A safe set of stairs doesn't have the steps anymore than a 1/4" difference in height for starters. I'm not saying the same specks for stairs should apply to trees but the consistency of the climb should be. It's why ladder stands are safer, they're consistent.

Most also only climb when they hunt and that begins in the dark and often ends in the dark, that isn't good either. Many shouldn't even be climbing much less climbing with their gear.

I still think that a harness for most is a false sense of security. Way too many examples like forgetting your rope proves carelessness and a careless person will not use a harness with anymore concern. Check out work place accidents that happened while people were wearing a harness for examples of what I'm getting at.

If a persons honest with themselves and falls into the category I'm describing they should consider staying on the ground and never climb if they do with their gear. For a test take a 25' ladder, lean it up against your house, grab all your stuff and head up. Let your own brain tell you if your nuts. If it doesn't come out in the dark and do it. Your at home then, how about alone in the woods? If you make it to the top climb trough a window, just like stepping off onto a stand. A concerned person will have already strapped that ladder off tight with as many straps as it takes not just what came with the thing. Many will role the ladder right over being careless. If after all that you make it look how much space you needed to stand up inside your 4 walls. Chances are if it was a stand you'd of stepped right off it. After all this keep in mind the consistency of the rungs on the ladder you were clueless about. Put your steps (whatever they are) up to your stand with the same concern and climbing without a rope much safer. Bust a rung or 2 out of the ladder and try and climb with your stuff to simulate how most setup to climb a tree.

I don't use a climber or stand,
But first I generally carry a rope with me in the brush, attached to my pack, its always there.
If I left a safety equipment behind, I would either hunt from the ground, or hunt another day.
I have cancelled days out and have walked miles back to the car because I realized I forgot something like compass, first aid kit, license etc...
Convenience items I can do without. I don't go without the safety items.

I ALWAYS have one on each climbers, Ol Man Grand Slam, and one on each lock on. I then have one in my backpack and one 25' piece of trotline cord in my harness. Chances are greater that I forget my bow then my pull up rope.

Do have to admit that I'm getting older, but not too old to use my Summit Viper. That has the rope attached to it, too. As for remembering things from 40 years ago? Yes, I do remember some things, but then I've also lived this long by remembering some of the dumb stuff I did and fortunately got away with. I have no problem with admitting to myself that I'm not 25 any more. Therefore I just have to remember to do things slower and keep more focused.

I Have been fortunate so far and haven't had any of those bushy tailed rats shorten up a rope or chew through a treestand strap---yet.

And contrary to your thoughts about safety harnesses I do use one religiously. To me it's better than paying life insurance premiums that require me to die to collect.