"Fine," Ian said to Sakura, not intending at all to let her bring up the rear if he was in a better position to do it. "I can climb up," he assured her, then watched her climb up herself.

When it was his turn to climb up he did use the rope - he'd be stupid if he didn't, just to make the point. It was just echoey enough that he could hear a discussion about splitting up. This time he would make sure he got to go first.

"I agree," he said, once he was up. He gave Sakura a suspicious look, as it looked like she'd been the only one holding the rope. "Barbara and I should be in separate groups." He didn't want to leave all the kids in one group.