Let me offer up an apples to apples comparison for those who are considering 2TC versus 1-sticking. This comes about because many are looking at it as a very lightweight and compact system, which it certainly can be.
All of these weights include saddle, lineman’s rope, gear strap, pull up/down rope, whatever climbing method is used, and whatever system I’m using for my feet. The only additional things for me to carry would be my weapon of choice and whatever I had in my pack such as kill kit, water, snack, and such.
My 1-stick setup as I normally use it weighs a total of 13.1 lbs. That includes a mini-Shikar with angled scout platform, 3 step webbing aider, AND a ring of steps with 5 squirrel steps, saddle, lineman’s rope, gear strap, rappel rope, etc. That’s the total weight for everything to climb and hunt other than pack and weapon. On most hunts I really like having the ability to move around the tree some for certain shots. If I drop the ring of steps then the weight drops down to 11.7 lbs total.
My basic 2TC setup which includes a 35’ 9mm rappel rope, safeguard, and the ring of steps with 5 squirrel steps weighs a total of 10.91 lbs, dropping roughly 2 lbs from the previous system. If I’m going to be on a longer hunt I have a solo-scout from OOAL with 3 squirrel steps I’ll add changing the weight to 12.3 lbs, not far off from the basic 1-stick system.
If I really want to go in light, then I can drop the rappel rope and go with a 8mm Restech tether and just the ring of steps with 5 squirrel steps. That system, total including saddle and such, weighs just 8.87 lbs. That drops roughly 4.8 lbs off of the 1-stick system. That is a decent weights savings.
What does all this mean? There is roughly a 2lb weight difference between whether I rappel or I reverse 2TC back down. As for bulk, my rappel setup occupies about 2.5x the space of just a tether. The other consideration is whether I want to just use the Ring of Steps, the lightest and certainly most compact option at 1.4 lbs, or if I want a platform for longer hunts. That decision can cause roughly a 2-2.5 lb swing depending on the way I choose to go.
Hopefully this will help someone on the fence about all of this sort through the myriad of opinions and even some chest pounding regarding what system is best, or is needed. 2TC, because of its simplicity and the lack of metal things to fall down on is a very safe system. As to how you choose to come down, that’s personal preference based on what your are comfortable with. Either system has pros and cons depending on your needs. (less weight and bulk compared to ease of descent, especially in an emergency).
Hope this helps. If you need clarification for anything I’ve written here please feel free to ask. Oh, and my saddle is the CGM cobra, so not the lightest saddle on the market and I carry a backband that doubles as my thigh loop for 2TC climbing, a spare carabiner, a Retreev tool from EWO, and a small wrench in case my quick link locks up.