Questions tagged [knots]
Questions relating to the use of knots in performing activities in the great outdoors such as climbing and fishing.
131
questions
11
votes
7answers
4k views
Hanging water bags for bathing without tree damage
When I hang my water bag to heat water in the sun for family bathing, I do so by tying a weight to the end of the rope and throwing it over a tree limb. Then I lower the weight, tie the water bag to ...
4
votes
3answers
284 views
seeking stopper knot that is easy to tension and easy to untie
I have first looked at other questions/answers here on stopper knots here and tried all of the ones suggested but I am seeking something better. My application is a single line through a hole. I want ...
7
votes
1answer
298 views
Climbing indoors: emergency situations
We should always do the partner check and tie a stopper knot, but...
Lead climbing:
If you are half-way up a climbing wall and see that your knot, which attaches you to the harness is loose/untied/...
-2
votes
1answer
175 views
Yosemite bowline - stopper knot?
I would like to switch to the Yosemite bowline knot. I don't want to compare the pros and cons of figure 8, double bowline and Yosemite bowline.
I am interested in single-pitch climbs and gained some ...
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Terminology for different ways of tying bends?
One way to categorise common knots to join two ropes together (i.e. bends) is:
Bends tied as if there were only one rope: by holding the two ropes together (side by side, parallel, both ending in the ...
0
votes
3answers
303 views
Munter hitch + prusik for rope solo lead climbing
Disclaimer
This is a question regarding a theoretical technique, and not a tutorial, advice or recommendation.
This technique has not been tested, and might potentially be completely unsafe.
Climbing ...
3
votes
1answer
435 views
How to lash a corner of a bamboo pergola?
I'm considering building something akin to a bamboo pergola and tying it together with a rope. What would be the best method for tying its 'corners' where three poles meet?
From the Wikipedia article ...
7
votes
2answers
656 views
Alternative to midshipman's / taut-line hitch for modern ropes
A taut-line hitch is used to tying tent ropes to a stake. It can be manually slid up/down the standing part of the rope, so as to adjust the tightness in the line, but it holds well under tension.
...
4
votes
1answer
196 views
What is this knot?
My 6 year old daughter was playing with ropes today and tied a knot of her own creation. I tried to demonstrate to her the importance of learning to tie good knots that don't slip, but when I went to ...
4
votes
3answers
857 views
How to make it easier to untie a figure-8 knot after finishing a climb?
If you tie a figure-8 knot while rock climbing and fall a few times (especially if they're dynamic lead falls), the knots will become so difficult to untie that you sometimes have to use a carabiner ...
3
votes
4answers
506 views
What knot was used by my mountain guide to tie me in to the middle of a rope?
Twice now I have been out winter hiking with a guide and another person and I'm trying to work out what knot they used to tie the middle person onto the rope.
Let's say the guide is in front, my ...
7
votes
3answers
5k views
How to tension rope between two trees? [duplicate]
I often need to tension a rope between two trees, usually 20-30 ft apart. I am not skilled with knots so it is often sloppy and the tension doesn't hold even very modest weight (such as clothes or ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
Most practical knots for a bend (tying two ropes together) while pulling to create tension?
My personal favorite for tying two ends of a rope together is the Flemish Bend. It's simple, strong, does not slide, does not require stopper knots (unless used for life-critical applications), allows ...
28
votes
6answers
5k views
Most practical knots for hitching a line to an object while keeping the bitter end as tight as possible, without sag?
Say, I want to tie a rope between two trees, and I want it to have as little sag as possible. I have attached the rope to one tree and I'm trying to tie it to the other tree while pulling it to create ...
3
votes
1answer
151 views
Knot to tie handle of a bag
If you have full stuffed bag full of laundry with two handles, how would you tie the handles?
4
votes
1answer
157 views
Tradeoffs between different stopper knots
Because a number of accidents have occurred when a climber was lowered or rappelled off the end of a rope, it is wise to tie a stopper knot in the end(s) of the rope. My question is what stopper knot ...
3
votes
5answers
209 views
What's an easy way to fasten/unfasten to bind two horizontal poles?
I need a knot that can be fastened and unfastened as quickly as possible (like a toggle on a jacket; twist and release). I also need to be able to tighten or loosen the rope easily. Basically, I want ...
8
votes
2answers
3k views
What is the strongest knot using a steel-thimble to make a steel-eyelet at the end of the line?
(to be clear, I know I can just check knot-strengths for a general end-of-line attachment, it's the inclusion of the steel thimble - I'll find a link to add to end of post - it's that inclusion that ...
1
vote
1answer
419 views
Climbing-line “rope-thimbles”, unsure how to utilize these (got several 1/2" 'steel rope thimbles' with my climb-rope!)
I got some 1/2" steel-thimbles for my climbing-rope but sadly I'm not sure how to safely use them, I'd thought "I can just tie a knot at just the right spot so that the thimble is securely nested in ...
1
vote
1answer
147 views
Have a couple basic Q's on climbing-line (1 on safely descending/rappelling, another on using multiple lines and/or hardware to achieve “1+1=2”?)
Hoping to ask a couple basic Q's before my order arrives, I suspect I may've gotten insufficient gear..
1 - Is doubling-up ropes, or hardware, ever acceptable in climbing? IE, my 8mm prusik cord is ...
6
votes
1answer
680 views
What is a “Post Eye Tiable” (PET) knot?
In an answer on a question about bowlines the following statement is made by @MarkG:
All 'Bowlines' have the advantage of being Post Eye Tiable (PET) and totally jam resistant.
https://outdoors....
1
vote
0answers
49 views
How to do a prussik with end of cordellete only? [duplicate]
Doing a Prussik with a small cordellete that is tied together in a O is relatively easy. Now some maneuvers require to do a Prussik/blocking knot with only one side of a long cordelete... how do you ...
3
votes
2answers
332 views
What are the four climbing knots used by Jim Bridwell?
Long & Gaines Climbing Anchors says:
Jim Bridwell, one of the most experienced climbers in the
history of the sport, uses only four knots for any and all climbing situations. Better
to ...
6
votes
2answers
795 views
Knot for pulling two branches of a tree together
I need to bring two branches of a palm tree/bush together. So I need a knot that is secure under tension but can also be progressively tightened. What knot would you recommend?
8
votes
3answers
380 views
Does anyone recognise this knot?
I came across this knot when it was used to tie a guy wire to a newly purchased light weight tent. I am reasonably knot savvy but have never come across it. It forms a non-slip loop when pulled up ...
4
votes
2answers
151 views
Knots for bases of equipment
I have a few items: FireSteel, Hatchet, etc. that have a small paracord size hole at the base. I was looking to add a length of paracord so I can easily loop it over branches, tentpoles, etc. Do any ...
5
votes
2answers
749 views
Can an overhand loop be used to shorten nylon webbing as a personal anchor?
Is it safe to girth-hitch nylon webbing through my harness tie-in points and then shorten the webbing via an overhand loop (assume it is too long) and clipping the non-bight part to the bolt in the ...
4
votes
2answers
192 views
How to tie nylon straps to trees of unknown diameter
When outdoors with my hammock, I prefer to set everything up with a pair of nylon tree straps. It gives things a more secure feeling and I've heard it's better for the trees too since the cordage won'...
4
votes
1answer
604 views
How to join 2 cables together with fishing line without putting knot in cable?
I want to tie both cables together, but without a knot, kind of "join" them as if glued together side by side, no knot in the cable.
The cable is quite thin, and I'm using fishing line, the knot has ...
7
votes
1answer
210 views
Figure-8 Followthrough Question
Is it still considered a 'figure 8' knot when you dress it so the loop is perpendicular to the rest of the loop?
8
votes
2answers
1k views
When making an anchor with static rope around a boulder, what knot should I use
If I'm using a natural feature such as a boulder or a lump of rock as part of an anchor by tying a static rope around it, what are the best knots to use? I'm thinking that there would be different ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
Why does my flurocarbon leader keep breaking when tied with a double uni-knot?
I am trying to connect 12lb leadline (lead removed for knot) to a 6lb flurocarbon leader but when I tie them with a double uni knot the flurocarbon breaks when pulling it tight.
I have tried a couple ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
How to tie a Purcell Prusik from a single end?
There is the regular Purcell Prusik, which can be used for adjustable tethers or create foot loops for ascending a rope, but it is also useful to know how to tie it with only one end of the rope ...
4
votes
1answer
565 views
How use a nylon cordelette as an adjustable tether for rock climbing?
Sometimes when clipping in people who are rappelling, or setting up anchors in some places from above or showing people how to get onto a fixed line, I need an adjustable tether.
I often carry a ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
How to tie a Purcell prusik?
One of the more useful knots for climbing is the Purcell prusik (related to but not a regular prussik), which can be used as an adjustable tether or for ascending a rope among other things.
How would ...
7
votes
1answer
764 views
How to tie a bull hitch using end(s)?
I have found the bull hitch really great for tying my paracord to secure to an object, like a stick, branch or other long object. The reason I like it is that compared to other hitches like the girth ...
5
votes
2answers
292 views
What knot is this that starts off like a taut line hitch but ends differently?
I thought that Les Stroud was about to make a taut line hitch. But at the end he did a couple of things a little different. What is this knot? Does it hold better than a taut line hitch?
3
votes
1answer
280 views
Knots when abseiling with single rope
I have a rope of 10 m which supports 3 kN (300 kg) strength. I will abseil with it as a single rope.
I want to know what is the recommended knot to use when attaching the top with my anchor's ...
9
votes
2answers
489 views
Knot for adjusting the length of a loop using both ends of a cord
I have a requirement where I want to tie a knot with the two ends of a cord where the length of the loop can be adjusted using either of the ends. (The knot has to be present on both the ends of the ...
4
votes
3answers
324 views
What's a good resource for learning to tie knots for climbing?
If I wanted to learn how to tie certain knots, or learn about new knots and what they're used for, what are some good resources to look up?
3
votes
2answers
1k views
How to tie a super eight / double figure eight / bunny ear knot?
Note, I am not asking how to tie three different types of knots, but rather one knot that goes by three different names.
Its a knot that can be useful in building anchors especially at the top of ...
1
vote
1answer
200 views
How to tie a figure eight on a bight?
One of the more common knots in climbing is the figure eight on a bight (being tied on a bight means that it is tied without using the ends.
How exactly would one tie this knot?
18
votes
2answers
2k views
Crevasse rescue with knots in the rope
This has been bugging me for a while. A party is traveling on a glacier and adds braking knots evenly to the length of the rope as seen in this answer. The person leading the rope falls into a ...
-2
votes
2answers
208 views
What the name of the knot that is used for tying something to a pole? [closed]
Whats are some simple knots to attach a rope to a pole?
It involves simply looping around the pole, and then running through one of the ends through the loop and tightening
6
votes
1answer
3k views
How to tie a one-piece webbing harness for dogs?
We have a new puppy and can't wait to take him to TGO.
Since he's still growing he'll grow out of any harness that fits at the moment. I'm considering tying a harness out of webbing, but all ...
4
votes
2answers
125 views
How to compactify the long straps on a tent or tarp when not in use?
Tents and tarps have these long straps (sketch here), which may be used to tie them to distant trees. When unused, they can look untidy and become tangled. This can happen both when the tent is in use ...
7
votes
2answers
378 views
Which knot to tie bulky objects together for transport
I am looking for a knot that can be used to tie bulky objects together.
Usually I would use compression straps to tightly strap a tent to a bike handlebars, but I only have paracord at the moment.
I ...
10
votes
4answers
9k views
Which type of rope is to be used to practice knots?
I am a complete noob when it comes to ropes and knots. It's high time I start practicing.
Which rope, most preferably easily available and portable, should I use for practice?
Should it be of ...
5
votes
2answers
183 views
Stopper with Toggle for Blake's Hitch
I'm a knot novice and I was thinking about using a Blake's hitch while camping. The hitch is finished with a stopper knot, which appears pretty critical to me. I thought it would make sense to insert ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Double half hitch, versus two half hitches?
In the 70s, while learning sailing, I was taught to use a double half hitch, where the two hitches are tied in opposite directions. However, in the 90s, I took a USCG course, where in the same ...
