Joining Two Ropes For Rappel

Here dale shares some tips for tying two ropes together for rappelling or top roping.

Joining two ropes for rappel.

For long rappels you ll tie the two ropes together. Use the double fisherman s knot to tie the two ropes together. The figure eight overhand double fishersman s are just three methods. When used correctly the flat overhand knot is superior for rigging a rappel.

There s many reasons why you d want to join two ropes together but perhaps the most obvious one is to allow for a full rope length. This knot is used to bind two lines of similar size together and never let go. This knot has been called a number of things including the euro death knot and has at times been unfairly demonized. Clipping the ropes together this way also helps keep them in line as you pull them in high winds.

Tying three of these knots in succession will provide a permanent junction that will hold the lines together and evenly distribute the forces over the length of the seizes providing you. If the rappel is longer than half a rope length you ll need two ropes to descend. It depends on the application but the most common time climbers are tying their ropes together is for long rappels. When setting up to rappel make sure you don t accidentally tie a flat figure.

Which knot to use to join two ropes. This is a touchy subject. Recently there has been a lot of discussion on what knots are good for joining two ropes together and there is no one answer. The uiaa alpine skills series returns with guidance on which knot to use when joining two ropes.

Last for extra friction on the single strand run the rappel rope through two biners connecting your rappel device to your belay loop and or rap with an extension. Commonly known as the european death knot or edk for short the overhand bend is a simple effective way to join two rappel ropes. Climbing on two ropes allows for smoother ropework and the opportunity to divide up the load on the approach. Once the ropes are rigged and you can see that the ends touch the ground or reach past the next rappel station thread the rope through your device and then attach the device to your harness.

Bends are knots to tie two ropes together. Here is a selection of knots for joining ropes and also some knots where the rope is tied upon itself such as the heaving line knot and the sheep shank the water knot is an excellent knot for use with flat webbing material. Opinions vary among climbers as to the best knot to use when joining two ropes together. Remember to keep the pull rope within reach it s a good idea to clip it to yourself.