Did you watch the video on their website showing how he was using the aider? It appeared to always be at chest or waist level.Mine just came in the mail yesterday. Someone mentioned the rope stretching so I set it up on a light pole in the yard and cammedn one over. Did that a few times then double wrapped the rope and locked it down a few times tightening a little each time. I stretched the rope about three inches. I went ahead and did the same with the rest of them. So after tying the knot about 20 times yesterday it got pretty easy. I put it against the tree with the point sticking against my chest then use two hands for the knots when needed. I also got the aider and it's going to take a lot of practice to get the four feet per step I was hoping for. Three is no problem but four isn't happening. You would have to be able to tie another step at eight foot up. Or clip the aider to the one at four feet and then try to reach between your feet to unclup the aider and bring it up after you have climbed four feet.