You can fall on your duff at velocities approaching the speed of light and catch that eight-pounder in what is guaranteed to be an unfortunate location. Then the real fun begins. You waddle up to an aluminum ladder perched precariously on a patch of ice and climb up two stories in a uniform which does not allow you to bend your knees. Here s where you employ some tricks of the trade. To keep the wood from splitting, some spit on their nails.
Some people lay a cross pattern on the board at the point of nailing.
And still others look to the morning star and make a wish for the best. Myself, I prefer to ignore the whole situation and head directly for the saw. Before you can make a cut, you must, of course, mark your board. In summer a pencil or crayon is commonly used, but in Winter Construction a large nail or sharp chisel is a much more intelligent choice. Just scratch the ice and saw away.