A method of directing a rope around a cantilevered support including the steps of: a) providing an apparatus having i) an elongate pole with a proximal region and a distal region spaced from each other in a lengthwise direction, and ii) a rope engaging assembly at the distal region and having at least one surface facing away from the proximal region; b) configuring the rope so that the rope bears against the at least one surface and a portion thereof is thereby formed to be generally U-shaped opening towards the proximal region with the rope in an operative position; c) holding a second portion of the rope and the elongate pole at the proximal region to bear the rope against the at least one surface to maintain the "U" shape; and d) manipulating the elongate pole to cause the U-shaped portion of the rope to be directed around the cantilevered support.