Climbers: Must Know Climbing Knots

Different climbing knots are used in different situation.

And climbers’ lives depend on the knots tied, ensure always check the knots and realize its strengths and limitations.

The Climbing Rope is a key tool in Climbing. Rope cannot be used effectively if knots are tied wrongly.

Single Loop Knot can be used to attach something (carabinars) in the rope.
An example will be Bowline.

Double Loop Knot is similar to Single Loop Knot just that the former add extra security.
A good example will be Double Figure of 8.
For better understand, pictures of the different knots can be found here.

Prusik Knot and Clove Hitch are examples of Hitch which is a type of knot wherein the rope is tied or looped to an object such as a Carabiner. Hitches can be used to control the descent when belaying by applying friction on the rope. You can also tie a Hitch to anchor yourself immediately without a sling.

A stopper knot is tied at the end of a rope to prevent the end from unraveling, slipping through another knot and block the end of rope sliding through beloay/rappel device. Knots commonly used for this purpose are:

Overhand knot
Double overhand knot
Figure of Eight Knot

Two short ropes can form through Bends. The Water Knot and Fisherman's Knot are good examples of Bends.

Practice the basics of rock climbing knots. As you climb more, you will learn other climbing knots and know when and where to use them. For better understanding, you can find pictures about the knots here.