I wonder if status quo bias has a physiological basis. I did a lot of tree climbing as a kid, and many years of sport and alpine climbing as an adult.

Downclimbing is inherently more difficult than climbing up, even if it is the rock face or tree you just climbed up. When you climb up, you start from a steady base on your feet. You reach up and can test your grip before leaving the stability of your much stronger legs. In a best scenario, you only do a small pull up with your arms before reaching another stable foot position. You get to take a look at nearly every future foothold at eye level as you climb up.

Downclimbing you have a worse sighting situation, worse balance position, and have the force of gravity adding to your movement direction, all making slipping and/or falling more likely.

Specifically relating to status quo bias, movement from a stable position is physically risky. Down way more risky than up.

Discount Tarzan's 2 cents.