How to Place Team Members on a Climbing Rope

When traversing, ascending or descending mountain slopes, it is important that the mountain climbing team be tied together with a common rope. Distances between team members depend on the angle of the slope, amount of team members, length of rope and the health of each team member. If there is an injury or illness, tie the climber in closer to a healthy team member. Mountain climbing is a highly dangerous and risky activity. Do not attempt any high angle climb until you receive proper training from a professional.

Things You'll Need

  • One harness, helmet and locking carabiner per team member.
  • Ice axes for each member along with crampons, helmets.
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stretch the climbing rope out for the team to tie on to. Assign the strongest member of the team to take the lead (or the most experienced) and place another strong climber in the "sweep" position -- the very last on the rope. Make sure each team member has a climbing harness over their outerwear.

    • 2

      Tie an alpine butterfly knot at each section along the rope where a team member is assigned. To tie the alpine butterfly, grip the rope in your palm, then make three full wraps around the palm with the rope. Take the top wrap and pull the loop-wrap over the bottom two wraps and push it underneath them and up so a loop-bite forms. Pull on both ends of the rope to lock the knot and set the loop in place.

    • 3

      Attach a locking carabiner -- a locking D-ring with a hinged gate -- onto the front harness loop on each team member's harness.

    • 4

      Clip the carabiner to the loop-bite on the alpine butterfly knots. Screw the carabiner gate clockwise all the way until it goes no further, than turn it back 1/4 turn.

    • 5

      Practice walking as a team when fully roped. Work out a set of hand signals so the members in the rear know what is being communicated regarding go faster, go slower, stop or untie. Make sure each team member has an ice ax in hand as they walk.