The last time I shot at Crabtree Falls, I winged it without a tripod and thought (wrongly!) that I didn't need it if I braced. Well surprise surprise surprise that didn't work so well. So this time I went prepared with the tripod. Works so much better!
All of the shots from there are taken handheld, or braced against something. I had brought a tripod but I decided it would be too clumsy to carry. I should have brought it anyway, as I missed some good shots by not using it, but I can always go back.