Here's a look at our method...We had thought Chuck might come out today, so our ladder got a name...We called it "Chuck". : ) Norbu and David lowered the platforms onto the ladder, bracing it on the rungs, after we on the ground were sure it wasn't falling, we'd jump over and lower it the rest of the way...it worked really well, and fast! We had the whole thing taken apart and down in an hour!