Basic climbing gear and knots

[Cgrutt]

DISCLAIMER - I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL; THIS IS MY OWN OPINION BASED UPON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE; POSTED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY; USE AT OWN RISK; PROFESSION INSTRUCTION RECOMMENDED BEFORE DOING ANY CLIMBING.

Broke out some old climbing gear to run the fire safety ladder test and figured I'd throw up some pics of basic gear and knots that could be useful to know in a SHTF scenario.

I knowingly broke one of the first rules which is to never use "old" equipment, however, it is in new condition and I would (and did) trust it for myself or my family.

That said, climbing rope, safety harnesses, nylon webbing, some carabiners (locking and non-locking) and some belay devices are great gear to do basic climbing.

Here are a some pics.

Climbing harness - Note partially strapped DO NOT USE like pictured.



Harness correctly strapped - bring strap back over buckle and through. Some buckles have this section (i.e., left vertical portion of buckle) marked red with idea being "red is dead" or if you can see the red it's not properly strapped.



Attach harness to rope (directly or with a locking carabiner) with a basic "figure 8" knot. Start with a loose "figure 8"



Thread the free end of rope through harness (it should go through three attachment points, one through leg attachment, one through loop that connects leg attachment to harness and one through the harness attachment itself) then trace free end back through "figure 8"



Then synch it up - this knot will hold securely under load and will open easily when you're done. You can trust your life on this one.

[Guest]

Hey Cg..is that a Birch tree made table?? bought or crafted by you, cause it's pretty damn shnazzy!

[Cgrutt]

Next up some basic carabiners and belay devices. Small assortment is all you need for basic climbing. The belay device allows you to hold yourself or your partner securely with a simple pull backwards of the rope and allows rope to free flow when held forward. Also used for repelling.



Some nylon webbing is useful to create anchor points. Shown stored with a simple "daisy chain" knot below, which is really just a series of loose overhand knots.



Nylon loops for attachment points (either through itself or through a carabiner) can be made with a simple overhand knot, which remains secure in webbing (don't use on rope). Overhand knot on left is synched up. Knot on right is loose for illustration.



Here's a makeshift harness/attachment point using two overhand knots, a carabiner and a "figure 8" belay device. I used this today while "top roping" my family. The other end of the webbing was attached to my gun safe when I was using it.

[Cgrutt]

Folding/storing climbing rope:

Start with two free ends of rope placed together.



Coil at about arm's length until you reach center (which is taped on my rope below to show where center is)



Wrap free ends around coiled rope a couple times than place loop through center and return free ends through the loop.



I store my boat lines and extension cords this way too. Keeps things neat and unwraps without tangles everytime.

[Cgrutt]

Hey Cg..is that a Birch tree made table?? bought or crafted by you, cause it's pretty damn shnazzy!

LOL, thanks. I always wanted to build furniture like this but I bought this one from a guy near Lake George. We had this at our vacation house until we sold it. It fit better in the Adirondacks but we still love it.

[24Pink14Stink]

Gotta teach the munter mule for attachment!

[Cgrutt]

Gotta teach the munter mule for attachment!

LOL, you asked for it.

Start with a simple Munter Hitch - alternative for belay/repel device when used with locking carabiner.

Pass free end of line through carabiner (assume carabiner is attached to you, another climber or an attachment point).



Place half-hitch over nose of carabiner.



Synch down and lock carabiner (Note carabiner is NOT LOCKED in photo)



At this point you basically have an alternative to a belay or repel device, which can be used as shown.

[Cgrutt]

Munter Mule Hitch -- attachment point; passing line to another climber; tying off yourself or partner to allow free hand on brake end of climbing rope.

Starting with Munter Hitch above, create loop and pass brake end of line behind load end of line and create bight.



Pass bight through loop and synch down You're pretty secure at this point.



To make it bombproof, create another bight and tie simple overhand knot over top of previous hitch.



Synch up and you're GTG

[usmcveteran]

Great info!

[24Pink14Stink]

Awesome stuff! I used rappelling to help overcome my fear of heights.

Do what you fear and fear dies.

[Gunner57]

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

[Meketrefe]

C,
what rope is that? It might be the pictures but it looks smaller than the average climbing rope.
Great thread!

[Cgrutt]

C,
what rope is that? It might be the pictures but it looks smaller than the average climbing rope.
Great thread!

60m Edleweiss UIAA1. I think it's 10.5mm but not certain.

[masterswimmer]

CG, thanks for the 411. Hopefully will never need it, but always good to know if that situation arises.

[Cgrutt]

Alpine butterfly loop or lineman's loop - attachment point along line; load can be pulled on loop from either direction; can be used on loaded or unloaded line; unties quickly.

Place basic loop in line



Twist loop forming second loop or figure 8



Pull outer loop over main line



And continue around main line and pull back through center loop



Synch tight