"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Sep 29, 8:21 pm, "Toller" wrote:
"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message

ps.com...I feel silly
posting this question, but I have tried many times and
failed to step off the ladder on to the roof. The roof is only 8-ft
off the ground, and is dry and stable. However, taking that last step
off the ladder seems like an impossible task. Even worse, I am worried
about getting down. Searching for the step blindly by dangling one
foot off the roof seems like a sure recipe for disaster. I know it is
done all the time, but I can't figure out the logical sequence for
doing this. I am in good physical condition so that is not a factor.

Oh dear, do I know what you are talking about! I had to have a friend go up
on the roof for me whenever it was necessary. When he moved I figured I
would have to master it.

I threw a rope over the house and tied it to a tree, and went up anchored to
the rope so if I fell I wouldn't go far. (not sure how much good it would
do to the roof...) Anyhow, I found that getting on the roof wasn't all that
hard. Getting down was a bit harder, but not all that bad; if I had someone
to hold the ladder it would have been easy.

Biggest problem is fear itself. See if you can try the rope trick; I never
actually used the rope, but just the knowledge it was there made all the
difference.

Thanks for all the great advice. It is not the stability of the ladder
I am worried about. It is walking backwards and balancing at the same
time. It is like riding a bicycle backwards. The Safe-T walk-through
attachment that DT posted is exactly what I was looking for. But it
seems pricey for a simple device. However, on that site, it says 80%
of the falls occur when stepping off the ladder at the top. I know
that a ladder is probably as old as man itself, so I am puzzled why no
body else is selling this stuff. I looked at Lowes and Home Depot and
they have never heard of a walk-through attachment. I am going to try
the walk-though attachment in combination with a rope over the roof
tied to the other side of the house. Sounds like it just might work.

The most basic thing to do for stepping back onto the ladder is to make sure the
ladder extends several feet above the edge, so you can grab if to stabilize it
and position your feet before you step.

My house has a nice inside corner I set the ladder at. Stepping sideways into a
valley feels much safer than stepping onto an edge "past" the ladder.

Bob