We managed to get started again in early May but heavy spring rains slowed us down until mid July when the furnace finally turned on and we started having to hide from the sun. These picture show our progress as of July 7th. More importantly it demonstrates how we learned to lift the logs one end at a time. We can tail the line around an overdangle (as in the foreground) or around the hitch on our car if it is safer or a better angle on the block.

The tricky part is establishing the proper rhythm. One person pulls down and out and then a second person tails the slack away.

Once we have raised the first end and set it on top of the wall, we move the straps down the log and lift again. Repeat until the second end is inside the overdangles and can be raised. For folks with more room around their cabins, you can simply use the car to do your pulling for you, we're not so lucky.

This operation works best with three people. One up top to move the strap, one pulling, and one tailing away the slack.