If it makes things any easier to figure, many areas of the country have rather strict restrictions on importing firewood to control invasive pests. The rule of thumb for Vermont, if I recall, is no more than 30 miles from the origin of the wood, and importing from out-of-state is generally forbidden unless the wood has been kiln-dried or otherwise treated by some approved method.
I do agree that hanging things off the ladder seems like a bad idea. The ladders are none to sturdy to begin with. Do you perhaps have some unused space underneath the rig in which you could rig up some fixtures to carry your items?