ratlin, ratline - (nautical) a small horizontal rope between the shrouds of a sailing ship;
they form a ladder for climbing aloft -
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ship----------
There are a number of options available for going aloft, from mast steps (both fixed and removable) to a wide assortment of harnesses and self-climbing arrangements designed for or adapted to climb the mast. -
http://www.captfklanier.com/articles/art38.html---------
2. Aloft The old High German word for 'air' was 'luft', which was combined with the French term 'a', meaning 'go to'. thus 'a luft' became 'aloft' in old English.
It means 'to go into the air', or 'climb the mast'..
135. Skylark "Larking" meant to fool around and play. High spirited sailors often did this
while aloft among the sails and out of the immediate reach of their officers.
http://goo.gl/2o9Bm - nautical terms and sayings
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going up the mast-or "going aloft" in sailing parlance.
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