Coming down is the hardest thing

So, young Simon is starting to get used to climbing up to the loft at night. He has not, however, grown used to descending from the loft. In fact, after two unfortunate incidents wherein he slipped and fell from one of the top rungs, he flat-out refuses to come down at all.

This morning, after spending many precious minutes trying to coax him down, I had to give up and run to catch my train for work. And when I got back? Poor little baby was still up there. He'd chosen to go without food, water or use of the facilities rather than risk falling again! I couldn't let him spend the rest of the day up there, so I climbed the ladder and rescued him (just like a firefighter!).

Seriously, though. I can't do this every day. I'm trying to figure out a way to make the ladder less treacherous for him. Maybe wrap the rungs in carpet for traction? Or maybe I'll just buy a really tall, really sturdy set of drawers that he can use as a midpoint between the loft and the ground or futon. Thoughts?