Patent ID: 7198134

Claim:
A method for assisting multiple climbers in ascending and descending the same ladder using an apparatus including a plurality of counterweights and a rigging system coupled to the counterweights, the rigging system includes at least two subsystems, each subsystem includes at least one cable, at least one pulley, and at least one harness, said method comprises: configuring a first subsystem to assist a first climber in ascending and descending the ladder by coupling a first harness to the first climber and connecting a first end of each first subsystem cable to a first counterweight; configuring a second subsystem to assist a second climber in ascending and descending the ladder by coupling a second harness to the second climber and connecting a first end of each second subsystem cable to a second counterweight; using the first subsystem to assist the first climber in ascending the ladder; using the second subsystem to assist the second climber in ascending the ladder prior to the first climber descending the ladder; using the second subsystem to assist the second climber in descending the ladder prior to the first climber descending the ladder; using the first subsystem to assist the first climber in descending the ladder; and providing a single guide shaft, wherein the first and second counterweights are located within the guide shaft.