Securing the Rung

I released the swivel clasp from the binder clip. Harness tension neutral. The morning light hit the iron ladder leading toward the roofline, but the lowest rung sat twelve inches above the landing deck—beyond direct reach. Scanning the diamond-mesh grating, I located an abandoned steel S-hook jammed between two iron bars. I worked the curved shank free with both gloved hands. Reaching up, I seated the upper curve over the lower ladder strut and threw my body weight onto the bottom bend. The pivot groaned through old rust, dropping three inches before locking against the stop bracket. Foothold established. Roofline ascent is operational.