Rock climbing is an extreme physical sport that offers the thrill and the adventure and of all outdoor activities. It offers a challenging physical experience and develops self-discipline. Due to the rising popularity of this sport all across the world, there is no doubt that even you must have been hit by a rock climbing wave! However, before you start venturing out, you must learn the basic fundamentals of this sport well since it requires a lot of safety precautions.
There are certain adventure sports that require a complete co-ordination of your fitness, physical strength and presence of mind. Rock climbing is one of them. Rock climbing is very a risky activity which involves climbing rocky steep terrains. You need to be fully armed with all the necessary safety devices to avoid falls, cuts or scratches.
One of the most underrated areas of rock climbing is tying the knots on the rope. The climbers should have the knowledge of how to tie minimum of four to five types of knots to make sure that the rope remains secure during their climb and there is no risk of falling off from the cliff.
Tying the knots as said earlier is the most important part of the rescue system. It is considered to be the central feature in any climbing activity. The knots that are made on the rope will help you make an easy climb. There are some knots and their variations that you need to master to prepare yourself for a great rock climbing experience.
1) The Figure Eight knot which is the most robust rock climbing knots any climber can use. Also it is the simplest knot to tie. You can tie it in two different ways.
A) One at the end of the rope also referred to as a ‘follow through’ and
B) Second in the middle of the rope also referred to as on the ‘bight’.
2) The Clove Hitch which can be easily adjustable. This knot is used most often while setting up belays during any rock climbing session. You can also tie it using just one hand with a little amount of practice.
3) The Bowline which is frequently used by rock climbers to fasten their harnesses to the ends of the rope. Though this one isn’t the easiest knot to learn, you can use it for securing rope to any piece of your climbing gear.
4) The Water knot which is used for joining flat stretches of materials like climbing belts or webbing together. Also it is the quickest knots to tie.
5) The Prusik which is often used during self rescue.
Davis Walker
