I think a new patch is being worked on that will result in a ladder reset but you could set everything up in the meantime and just get a feel for some of the newer changes to the mod.
The easiest way to set up HU is using D2SE.
1: Install Diablo 2 and patch to any version (just log into bnet to get the latest version We will refer t this as the "Root D2 folder"
2: Download D2SE http://d2se.org/d2se/D2SE_V2.2.0.exe
3: Extract D2SE to your Root D2 Folder an create a desktop shortcut to the D2SE program now inside that folder
4: Download this: http://files.arimyth.com/HU/HU_D2SE_Core_1.5.7z and extract it to your "Root D2" Folder > "MODS" folder
5: Download this: http://files.arimyth.com/HU/HU_1.5a_Client_Lite.7z for the lite version with minimal music
or this: http://files.arimyth.com/HU/HU_1.5a_Client_Full.7z for the version with full music
You should now be set up to play the current lie version. If you feel like checking out the newly proposed patch also:
Open your Mods folder inside your Root D2 folder copy and paste the Hell Unleashed folder and rename it HU 1.6 or something, the name isn't too important, then extract the 1.6 patch to that folder.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9551
When you start D2SE, scroll all the way to the bottom, past the original version icons and you will find the HU logo. Just click on it to run that version. And it's all confined to 1 main D2 folder
.