The way I read it, the "ladder" was more some rope type affair more suited to transferring to a Landing Craft.   I don't care that she sleeps with birds flying by and shitting on her while she sleeps but using a rope laddder can be tough for a fit 20 year old and completely nuts for an aging folkie at almost 70.

I too love Joan but this was a bit of the dimbulb thing to do.

Spaw