ROPE-WORK. 97 



done. Of course, this reduces the work of the men 

 on top to a minimum during the descent, the 

 friction round the crowbar taking nearly all the 

 weight off their hands ; but this does not seem 

 material, for if they are going to have stamina 

 enough to haul the climber up again the descent 

 will in any case be mere child's play, and there is 

 against this plan the serious objection that before the 

 ascent can be commenced the rope must be slackened 

 and unhitched from the crowbar. This necessi- 

 tates a considerable movement and shuffling on 

 the part of the haulers, and this is a thing rigorously 

 to be prohibited. Once the climb has been com- 

 menced they should not alter their position, for in 

 doing so they are likely to dislodge stones, and in 

 any case are less secure. They should choose their 

 first position carefully, kicking, or finding, a good 

 hold for each heel, and stick to it throughout. 



The lowering rope should be very carefully 

 uncoiled and laid out on the grass before the 

 descent is commenced, for should it become 

 entangled behind the haulers after the climber 

 has disappeared over the edge, it is very awkward 

 and he is kept dangling in suspense while the rope 

 is put right. 



Loose Stones. 



Leading down to the brink of most cliffs there 

 is a slope, often of stony earth, and as the climber 



