| Climbing classes will teach you everything you need | | | | Pull both ends to secure and tighten it. |
| to know and provide you with the opportunity to | | | | Another stopper knot is the double overhand knot. |
| practice what you learn. Knot tying is one of the | | | | It's less likely to pull through but it's also harder to |
| basics you'll learn and while you may think that it's | | | | untie. Form a circle as you would for the overhand |
| not that important, learning different techniques and | | | | knot but make a second circle and place it behind the |
| practicing them with ensure your safety on the | | | | first. Now pull the end of the rope through both loops |
| mountain. | | | | and pull both ends tight to secure. |
| You'd be surprised at how many different types of | | | | You'll often need to tie two ropes together when |
| knots exist. Each one serves a different purpose. | | | | climbing. The fisherman's knot is one of the ways to |
| Here are some of the basic knots. | | | | do this. With the ropes parallel, take the first rope |
| The figure 8 knot is one of the most common and | | | | and turn it around the second rope. Turn it another |
| as the name suggests, the rope forms a figure 8. | | | | time and pass the end of the first rope through the |
| First, make a loop and cross the end of the rope | | | | two loops you've made. Now pull the long ends of |
| over the straight part. Now wind the end around the | | | | the both ropes to tighten and secure. |
| straight portion and bring it through the first loop. | | | | If you have two ropes of different diameter you |
| The end, or "tail", is then looped through your | | | | should use a double fisherman's knot. Follow the |
| harness loop, fed back into your figure 8 knot and | | | | instructions for the Fisherman's knot but use the |
| pulled to secure. Ensure the tail is several inches long | | | | second rope to make another Fisherman's knot |
| to prevent the knot from coming undone under load. | | | | thread that one through the first knot. |
| To make the knot easier to undo you can double the | | | | Taking a climbing class will ensure you learn the |
| rope. | | | | basics. Remember that climbing is very different from |
| Stopper knots are another category of knots. The | | | | taking a flight from Alicante to Madrid, so practicing |
| overhand knot is one of the simplest and most | | | | to tie knots is extremely important; it will prevent |
| common. Form a circle by crossing one end of the | | | | injury and fatalities. |
| rope over and then loop the end through the circle. | | | | |