Windlass, helping a wagon down a steep slope

Traveling on the Oregon Trail involving more than walking through vast, flat prairies. Steep terrain presented a challenge for emigrants. Heavy covered wagons lead by oxen teams were not easily maneuverable on difficult sections of trail. This drawing shows settlers using a type of winch called windlass to pull their wagon up a steep hill by hand. By wrapping the rope around a tree the men would have gained leverage making the wagon easily to pull as well as reducing the chances for the rope to slip.

The Trail to Oregon by Frederica B. coons Coons p. 146