How to Lock a Rope With a Climber's Knot

Locking off a rope using knots or hitches is a practice used often by rock climbers, tree climbers, cavers and others who use ropes for ascending and descending heights. Several different knots can be used to lock a rope. The Prusik knot, which is actually a hitch, is one of the oldest and most well known. The Prusik is simple to tie and has lots of uses including ascending a rope, rescuing injured climbers and providing a backup knot while rappelling.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope
  • Loop of cord
  • Carabiner
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Instructions

  1. Tying the Prusik

    • 1

      Position the loop of cord behind the rope you are tying it to. Hold the cord so it forms an oval, one end in each hand, and hold the oval against the back of the rope so it faces you. The rope should be running vertically upward, anchored at the top and loose at the bottom.

    • 2

      Hold one hand steady and use your other hand to wrap the cord once around the rope. As you do this, pass the piece of cord you are wrapping under the end you are holding still.

    • 3

      Wrap the cord at least two more times around the rope in the same way. As you wrap, make sure each successive loop of cord goes inside the previous loop, rather than crossing over it or wrapping toward the outside. When you are finished wrapping, take the piece of cord you have been wrapping with and put it through the end you have been holding still. When you pull this end tight, the hitch should not be able to come undone.

    • 4

      Dress your hitch. Dressing simply means making it look neat; a well-dressed knot is stronger and more reliable than a messy one. Make sure each successive loop of cord touches the inside of the previous one and is not crossed over it.

    • 5

      Clip a carabiner to the free end of cord. A carabiner is a sturdy metal clip used in climbing. Make sure your carabiner is weight-bearing and not simply decorative.

    • 6

      Clip the carabiner to the load you will be placing on the rope. Once the hitch is weighted, the cord will grip the rope tightly.