Putting up a big ladder by yourself

[MisterBoy]

I rarely use my big 3-section extension ladder as I prefer to get someone in to do most of the work that high up, but I have my house scaffolded right now. It's a heavy old thing and I can't simply 'walk' it up the side of the house with the gaps between rises.
I'm very wary of dropping the thing if it gets out of balance - I'm sure it's about technique not brute strength so if you need to get your ladder to a scaffold rise 15+ feet up, what's the trick to do it in a controlled way?

 

[Tigercubrider]

obvious thing is
If the house is scaffolded. why the ladder?
Can't you use the staff and a rope to pull it vertical?
Have you tried using a pole to push it up?

 

[MisterBoy]

obvious thing is
If the house is scaffolded. why the ladder?
Can't you use the staff and a rope to pull it vertical?
Have you tried using a pole to push it up?

I hadn't thought about using a rope, that could work though I've seen anyone use that method. Not sure how else I would get onto the scaffold without a ladder though?

 

[foxhole]

I hadn't thought about using a rope, that could work though I've seen anyone use that method. Not sure how else I would get onto the scaffold without a ladder though?

Scaffold is usually installed with a ladder?

 

[MisterBoy]

I actually swallowed my pride and just asked the house-painter yesterday. Turns out it was really what I had tried to do - get it vertical and extend it while keeping it steady then lean on the scaffold. Just practice that he finds it easy and I end up with it wobbling around feeling worried...

 

[mattylad]

there are videos on youtube on how to raise a ladder alone.

 

[Gerrydelasel]

I hadn't thought about using a rope, that could work though I've seen anyone use that method. Not sure how else I would get onto the scaffold without a ladder though?

Throw the rope over a bit of the scaffold. Might take a few tries. Or put the rope over the ladder itself like you see here:

My dad used to put up a long ladder by 'bouncing' it against the wall while pushing up, until you can advance it one more rung while it's mid-bounce. Rince and repeat. I had to do it once, gave me the willies.