How to Butterfly Coil a Climbing Rope

Butterfly coiling a rope is a quick and efficient way of keeping the rope manageable, and it eliminates the need to carry a bag to and from the climb, a desirable feature when a backpack would be a hindrance.

Things You'll Need

  • A rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure that there are no knots or tangles in the rope by flaking the rope. Start with the middle and run the doubled rope through your hands, letting the rope pile up on a dry, clean surface.

    • 2

      With both tails of the rope in your hand, measure about 10 feet and then drape the ropes over your shoulders.

    • 3

      Use both hands to drop loops over your shoulders until you reach the middle of the rope. Make sure that all the loops are the same size. Adjust any loops if they are uneven.

    • 4

      Take the coil off of your shoulders. Hold it by the center. Make sure not to drop any loops.

    • 5

      Wrap the tails of the rope around the coil.

    • 6

      Wrap the tail several times, over the top of the first wrap. This will make sure that the wraps stay tight.

    • 7

      Push a doubled section of the rope through the center of the coil, creating two loops.

    • 8

      Pull the tails through the loops.

    • 9

      Separate the tails, place them over your shoulders and wrap them around the coil and your waist.

    • 10

      Tie the tails off at your waist. A square knot works well.