An apparatus to assist with placing a climbing device and safety tether into a tree or other tall upwardly extending object and then securing the climbing device and safety tether to that object, by use of a gripping ring dimensioned to substantially encircle the object and having gripping members disposed along its inner surface to engage with the object, where the gripping ring has a climbing device attachment component to attach the climbing device, such as a ladder or a rope, to the gripping ring, a safety tether attachment component to attach the safety tether to the gripping ring, and a positioning device attachment component to allow a positioning device, such as a pole, to be used to properly position the gripping ring.
