A few things I have done to make them a tad more friendly.
1. I file the top of the tread so they show white.. makes coming back down a bit easier.
2, I have marked the side of the tube next to the hole, so It's easier to lock them together.
3. I use 4 steps and once locked together, I wrap the whole pile with one bungee.
4.I have coated all metal parts with rattle can bed liner
5. when going up a tree, I try and keep the sections in a straight line and a spacing as close to the spacing on the stick as possible.. Makes coming down in the dark a lot easier.
6. On a smallish tree I wrap the loose end, so it doesn't flap in the wind.