Rope Handling and Knots Examination
Required Reading: BMC Manual pages 30-34
Required Reading: Freedom of the Hills (9e): Chapters 9-11 and pages 393-395
Evaluation Date: March 21 | 7:00-8:30pm
What to Bring to Your Knots Evaluation: Harness, ATC Belay Device, Personal Tether, Prusik Cord
Pre-Examination Assignment | Learn these knots and hitches.
- Single Overhand Knot: Commonly used as a backup knot behind a primary
knot - Double Overhand Knot: Used to tie off the free end of each individual rappel
rope, or to finish a loose end on a Figure-8 or Bowline - Flat Overhand Knot: Used to join two ends of rope together for rappelling
- Water Knot: Used to tie two ends of tubular webbing/slings together
- Double Fisherman’s: Used to tie two ends of perlon or two rope ends together
- Figure-8 Loop (Figure-8 on a Bight): Used to attach end of rope to carabiner
or middle of rope when one direction of pull is expected - Rewoven Figure-8: Used when tying in end of rope to harness, or attaching
rope to anchor without carabiners - Butterfly Knot: Used to make a loop in middle of rope when pull may be
exerted in either direction - Bowline: Used to make a non-slipping loop in the end of a rope; not currently
recommended as a climbing knot - Girth Hitch: Used to attach tied loops of sling or perlon around anchors, or
through harnesses or carabiners without having to open them - Clove Hitch: Used when making adjustments to anchor tie-in
- Münter Hitch: Used for friction belay from pearabiner
- Prusik Hitch: Adjustable friction knot used for ascending a rope
- Mule Hitch: Used by belayer to “tie off” a fallen leader so belayer’s hands are
free - Auto Block: Used as a safety backup when rappelling.
Related Videos:
More Knots Practice Resources:
- Mule Knot Video
- Web knot-tying reference: Animated Knots by Grog, animatedknots.com