You would have to have 2 prusiks to get down the tree in a fall situation, one on your harness and one to put a foot through. I have actually ascended a rope with 2 prusiks and I can tell you it sucks but climbing down ain't so bad.
This. Instead of the steps, keep you a short loop of rope (maybe a 4 foot loop) in your pocket and learn how to tie it into a prusik onto your lifeline. By using it to stand in, you could loosen the pressure on the one attached to your harness enough to slide it down. Then hang by the harness to loosen the pressure on your prusik you were standing in. Slide it down and then repeat these two until you get down. I bet it wont be easy, but doable. CD.
