Chris
When we first purchased Dana, I would haul myself up the mast with a four part block & tackle. That meant I was lifting 1/4 of my weight (180lb). It worked but became old very quickly. One year I installed mast steps. Not the fold out kind, but aluminum steps from a company called Pace-Edwards. I consider the steps one of the best improvements, among many, that were added to the boat. Of course not everyone agrees with me. Many have voiced concern about the windage they present. My only answer to that is that I am not a racer and that for the cruising that we do the windage of the steps is not an issue. I find that with the steps I am up the mast for repairs and/or inspections multiple times a season. When we cruised the Bahamas, we spied coral heads from the spreaders as we navigated. I know they are not everyones cup of rum but it is a viable solution.
As an aside, when I go up the mast, I use a mountain climbers ascender as a safety device. The main halyard is secured to the boom and pulled tight. The ascender is clipped to the halyard on a short lanyard to my harness. As I climb, the ascender follows me up. If I slip and fall, the ascender locks and only allows me to fall the length of the lanyard. When I get to where I am going to be working, a second lanyard goes from my harness, around the mast, and back to the harness and I'm secured in position and can work with two hands.
I hope this will provide some food for thought.
Jim