Crow’s Nest
Equipment
- 1 x 6m (20ft) sturdy spar
- 4 x 7m (25ft) ropes to act as guys
- 8 x 2.4m (8ft) spars
- 1 x 20m (70ft) rope to suit blocks
- 6 x 2.4m (8ft) light spars
- 20 lashing lengths
- 4 large pegs
- 1 long climbing strop
- 4 pickets
- 2 carabineers
- 1 maul or sledge hammer
- 1 full body harness
- 2 double blocks
- 1 climbing rope and helmet
Method
One double block is attached approx 0.6m (2ft) from each end of the 6m (20ft) spar.
An eye splice should be formed in one end of the 20m (70ft) rope. Alternatively, a double figure of eight knot could be tied.
The plain end of the 20m (70ft) rope is passed through the top block, down through the lower block, back up through the top one and finally out through the lower one ie the plain end should now be near the butt end of the spar.
The 4 x 7m (25ft) guy ropes are tied to the top end of the 6m (20ft) spar, above the top block.
A lashing length is attached to one end of the 2.4m (8ft) spar using a rolling hitch plus a couple of half hitches for safety.
The other end of the lashing length is passed through the eye splice (or the loop of the double figure of eight knot) and tied of at the far end of the 2.4m (8ft) spar, again using a rolling hitch plus two half hitches.
One of the carabineers is attached to the 6m (20ft) spar using the strop, between the top block and the guys, and the climbing rope passed through it.
Make sure that both ends of the 20m (70ft) rope are near to the bottom of the 6m (20ft) spar then raise the spar and peg out the guys. The large pegs are driven in around the butt end of the vertical spar and bound with a lashing length.
Lay 2 x 2.4m (8ft) spars on the ground, one either side of the vertical 6m (20ft). Using the other 4 2.4m (8ft) spars, form the basis of the platform as per diagram A.
The 6 light 2.4m (8ft) spars are used to infill the platform.
A lashing length is tied to each corner of the platform and the other end of the lashing lengths is tied off to the eye splice (or loop of the figure of eight). Raise the platform a little by pulling on the 20m (70ft) rope and adjust the corner ropes until the platform is lying horizontal.
To use this, the Scout stands on the platform and holds on to the corner ropes.
Sensible safety precautions should again be taken and the Scout should wear a harness and helmet and be belayed.
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