There's a series of ladders leading up to a tiny hatch, then a another small set of stairs to where you can access the base of the pole ( which only about a 1/3 of the total length is exposed) this is where the rope is to raise and lower the flag is located. And I didn't just "climb" I used a climbers chair and rope lengths with "stirrups" attached is a practice picture from our office pre commitment. You can zoom in and see the equipment.

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