Abstract: A high mast lighting system is disclosed in which an elongated vertical mast having upper and lower ends is surrounded by an annular support ring. The support ring has a plurality of lamps removably mounted thereon. Drive means is provided for raising and lowering the ring along the mast between its upper and lower ends. A plurality of guide rollers are mounted on the upper end of the mast with a plurality of flexible cables operatively connected at one end to the ring and guided over the rollers on the mast. The opposite ends of the cables extend downwardly from the rollers into the mast where they are operatively connected to the drive means which selectively moves the cables upwardly and downwardly in the mast to raise and lower the ring. The system includes a rigid hollow latching arm associated with at least one of the cables and pivotally connected to the ring above the connection of its associated cable to the ring with the cable passing through the arm.