[TowerTalk] Question about lowering a Fold-Over tower/ almost a horror story

[Cqtestk4xs at aol.com]

Back in my younger and dumber days I tried lowering 24 feet  of very heavy 
aluminum tower with some big steel folding mechanism on  top.
 
The plan was to tie a rope to the top part, and back around a  tree to act 
as a brake.  I was going to hold the rope and had the rope  wrapped around 
my hand.  All went as planned until the tower got to 30  degrees from 
vertical.  It started to slide very fast and I got pinned to  the tree with the 
rope around my hand and the rope kept getting tighter and  tighter.  I was in a 
really bad situation and managed to get my hand  somewhat loose.  When I 
did the tower started freefalling and taking the  rope with it.  My hand was 
still somewhat enclosed by the rope and I got  about 25 feet of rope buzzing 
over the top part of my hand.  Lots of blood  but no serious damage
 
I started shaking after the whole affair.   It scared the crap out of me to 
think I might have lost my hand.  I  still have the big scar across the top 
of my left hand from that smart  move.
 
Oh, the tower came down with a crash, but was no worse for  the wear!  It 
fared better than the owner.
 
Moral...dropping the tower from vertical to horizontal is a  lot trickier 
than it seems.
 
Bill K4XS/KH7XS