Ok I have had this question for years even when I hunted out of lock on stands. I mainly use screw in tree steps and with smaller diameter trees I use a harness with a linemans belt so both hands are free to screw in my tree steps. I was always limited when it came to a wider tree that I couldnt get my linemans belt around, there was no way to have both hands free to screw in the steps... anyone that has ever tried this knows exactly what I mean...... lol. Now I have learned Johns Es method of draping my tether over a T bolt or large bolt sunk deep into the tree so I am no longer limited to trees that my tether fits around. What are some climbing methods to prep very large diameter trees? Does anyone have suggestions on how to anchor yourself to the tree in order to have both hands free to screw in the steps? Am I an idiot for trying to climb larger diameter trees???? haha