To surmount the caprock I brought this anchoring system. The 2x4 ran diagonally across a dihedral and rested on little "benches" on the top of the ridge. It had a pad on each end to keep it from tipping over. I used prussik slings and climbing harnesses to ascend the rope, which worked well. But when I got high enough to see the entire board I saw that it was too long (about 5 feet), causing the pads to rest unevenly on the rock. It wobbled enough that I dared not try to scramble over it to reach the top of the ridge. So close and yet so far! A shortened board should give me the success I crave.

The thing on the side of the board is a lifting pocket. I inserted the end of my bamboo hiking stick in it and lifted the board into position---it worked like a charm. The "pocket" is a pair of polyethylene scuff protectors used with metal strapping on something. Being a pack rat, I saved them years ago in case I found a use for them. A shoulder strap attached to the board made carrying it here tolerable.