Abstract: In some embodiments, a ladder comprises a first rail, a second rail and a plurality of rungs extending between the first rail and the second rail. A first stiffener comprises a first arm and a first cable. The first arm is attached to the first rail. The first cable is attached to the first rail at a first cable upper attachment location, extends to contact the first arm and extends to attach to the first rail at a first cable lower attachment location. A second stiffener comprises a second arm and a second cable. The second arm is attached to the second rail. The second cable is attached to the second rail at a second cable upper attachment location, extends to contact the second arm and extends to attach to the second rail at a second cable lower attachment location. The ladder comprises a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and an orthogonal axis. The first arm is oriented at a non-zero angle to the orthogonal axis and the second arm is oriented at a non-zero angle to the orthogonal axis.