I do the vast majority of my bowhunting for deer in NC so I have a lot of experience with tree stands.
I have used a Summit for years but am switching to Lone Wolf. If you're going to be in one for a long time, really think about a sling seat instead of a platform, padded seat. Every once in a while I sit in one my son-in-law's stands that have platform seats and in an hour or so, I am really uncomfortable, but I can sit in a Lone Wolf or Summit sling seat stand for hours.
The advantage to a climber is that you move around with it instead of buying all kinds of stands and leaving them up. The disadvantage is the weight you have to carry (most are at least 20 lbs) plus the harness, and the noise in going up a tree. I practice keeping the front and back of the stand from rubbing the tree, but it's almost impossible to be as quiet as I want to be going up, especially in pines.
Never leave a climber on the tree - it will soak the area in human scent. Along that line, make sure you spray down every part of your stand with a scent product and wash the cloth parts on a regular basis. I also bring a change of shirts and a zip-lock bag to put the sweaty one in, especially in warmer temperatures, because I sweat like crazy carrying it in and climbing up 20-25 feet. I also carry a Leatherman with a little saw so I can take off small limbs and vines as I go up.
For hang-on stands, screw-in steps show the least. If you use them, use more and put them not too far apart. There's a big difference in how agile you are in summer weather than in late fall when you're wearing layers, gloves and insulated boots. I like the climbing sticks, I just feel much more secure but they do show more. Ladder stands show too much for my taste and do make some noise.
If you use climbing sticks instead of screw-in steps, consider putting the sticks together on the ground and then leaning them against the tree. Secure the two or three bottom straps and keep going up, using a lineman's strap to provide your security. Don't tighten up the other straps all the way until you get the top one done and the stand hung. Then tighten them up on the way down and back up again. Then, sit in the stand and point out to your buddy the limbs that need to come down to provide your shooting lanes. If you're alone, walk around and look at your stand's back portion and see what needs to come down.
ALWAYS wear a harness and hook yourself in with either a hang-on or climber stand. Even with a climber, falling is possible and usually happens because the bottom was not well attached to the upper portion or the tether was too long. The bottom can fall to the ground, or if not tied closely enough, swing vertical against the tree, and it is the devil to get back down to it and get it horizontal again.
Before I wised up, I can remember two times when the bottom dropped out and my feet were suddenly suspended 20-25 feet above the ground and I barely avoided falling as I caught myself on the upper section by my elbows and forearms. That will about cause a heart attack in any man. It's a good idea to keep a loop around the tree above your head as you climb and keep moving it up. I am very careful about having two straps between upper and lower sections and checking the knots and condition and length every time I get to the tree.
Another way people fall out of a climber is sitting too far back on the upper rail when they pull up the bottom section with their feet. Once you're up and sitting in a sling seat with a rail in front, it's pretty hard to fall out, but not if you pull the rail out of the way when you get up and not if you're sitting on a regular hard seat. Always tie your harness to the tree. Not doing so is about as stupid as walking around with a round in the chamber and your safety off. Making your wife a widow or your kids orphans because you were careless or macho or not willing to carry a harness just doesn't cut it.
A couple other tips - 20-25 feet for height and make sure you practice shooting at those sharp angles and your third axis adjustment on your sight is good. Keep some screening in front of you but make sure you have good shooting lanes, especially front and left where you can shoot without turning. Also consider which direction you expect your quarry to come from, not just for wind. If you are frequently turning to look around you are much more likely to get spotted.
I like to spray non-stick coating on my bottom section top. Often your boots are going to be wet with dew. And get a newer stand with sound-deadening technology. Some types of adjustable straps are much quieter than others to take out and put back in and adjust. Metallic sounds in the woods are just awful.
I should also mention there are hang-on stands out there where you leave the straps and receiver on the tree and just carry the foot platform and seat around (as one unit). Then, you have your choice of locations but don't have to buy a bunch of complete stands. You can carry less weight around.
I know that is more information than applies to your question. If you have just one location on the water hole and you have good screening, a ladder stand works great, though you won't be as high up and I can't imagine carrying a ladder stand 3 miles. I'd do a Lone Wolf stand with a sling seat or the one I just mentioned where you leave the straps and receiver on the tree. Sorry I can't remember the brand but I think you can find them at Cabela's. You still should secure yourself to the tree and the sling seat and site selection advice still applies.
