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How to Tie Descending Knots

Descending knots or hitches are critical for safe and successful climbing adventures. The sport of rappelling, for example, requires ropes tied with descending knots to allow climbers the ability to move down a wall or mountain with ease. Descending knots must provide for harness clasps to fit snuggly within their looping and allow the rope flexibility to slide and adjust as the climber drops. Keep climbing safe by avoiding sharp edges that can chip or damage the rope. A knot or hitch is useless if the rope is fragile or weak.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope
  • Carabiner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a single static rope. Choose a rope between 10 and 12 mm in diameter. This size provides proper grip and load bearing strength for descending. The rope must measure the distance from the upper starting point of your descend to the bottom. Thread one end of the rope over the front side of the carabiner and under the top bracket of the device.

    • 2

      Hold the end of the rope you just threaded in one hand. The carabiner will be dangling from the rope. Pull the rope end in front of the body of the rope and loop the rope under the top bracket of the carabiner from the back side. Pull the hitch tight. Drop the end of the rope and allow it to fall. Pull down on the carabiner. It will slide through the rope while remaining secure.

    • 3

      Tie two overhand knots at the top and bottom of the rope. Grab one end of the rope. Loop the end around the rope body to form a hole. Thread the rope through the loop and pull it tight. Repeat this process for the opposite end of the rope. Overhand knots complete the descending process by preventing you from plummeting off the end of the rope.

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