A climbing tree stand for enabling a user to climb a tree or other substantially vertical object to be climbed adaptable for use in a plurality of different utilization modes including a tree stand mode, a backpack mode, and a chair mode, the tree stand including a seat platform assembly having a pair of tree engaging members associated therewith movable between a first storage position and a second operative position for selectively engaging the object to be climbed, a footbed assembly having a pair of tree engaging members associated therewith movable between a first storage position and a second operative position for likewise selectively engaging the object to be climbed, and a pair of cable members, each cable member being respectively adjustably attachable to the seat platform assembly and the footbed assembly. The footbed assembly is further adjustable to change the overall length thereof and is adaptable for attachably receiving the seat platform assembly in a plurality of different orientations to achieve the backpack mode and the chair mode.