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BreakAwayAdventure |
The Figure 8 Knot |
The Figure 8 knot is a sturdy, reliable, no-slip knot well known to climbers. Its redeeming features are that it does not slip, is easy to untie after absorbing a load, lends itself to easy visual inspection to ensure it is tied correctly and does not significantly diminish the rope's load-bearing capacity. There are two ways of tying this knot depending on your intended anchor. This first method is the more difficult of the two but is used when you can't simply clip into the completed loop. For example, if you need to tie a Figure 8 around a tree or through a closed loop such as a solid ring or your harness loops, you will use the method that follows. If you simply need a reliable loop to clip into or hold on to that won't slip, use the Figure 8 on a Bite version of this knot. The images below are a top down view as if you were looking down at the rope in your hands as you tie this knot. The free end of the rope has been marked with a letter F to make it easier to identify. |
1) |
Start by holding the end of the rope in your right hand and the length of the rope in your left hand as in image #1. Throw the loose end in your right hand over the top of the rope in your left, then reach under the rope with your right hand and retrieve the loose end until you have what looks like image # 2. NOTE: Although it isn't shown in figures 1 or 2, you want a lot of spare rope on the free end to tie this knot. |
2) |
3) |
The next steps are easier than they may appear in the photograph. Just remember that once you have completed the Figure 8 to image #3 and looped through the object you are trying to tie off (or around the pole or tree you are trying to secure the rope to) you now simply run the rope back on itself, following its initial path. Image #4 shows the free end of the rope running back through the loop closest to your body in exactly the same direction it just came from. |
4) |
Next, run the free end of the rope through the loop closest to your body. You're coming in from the top. This will leave you with what you see in Image #3 which shows the finished first part of a Figure 8 knot with the free end of the rope running through the closed ring (though this ring has a gate and could be opened, pretend it is welded shut.) Also note plenty of spare rope to continue the knot. It is important to get the knot right to this point as the remaining steps are made easier by following the correctly tied knot from this stage. Larger picture in image 3 should make it pretty clear. |
Here in image #5, you can see the free end of the rope continuing to follow its original path backwards, wrapping around the length of the rope. By looking at this picture and knowing it must continue following its original path, can you guess where the free end of rope will go next? |
5) |
Images #6 and #7 show the free end of the rope continuing to follow back on itself. |
6) |
7) |
Almost done. While image #8 does essentially show a completed Figure 8 knot, this knot is not secure until you pull it tight. The hard part is over, though. At this point, grab the loop marked A in one hand and the both parts of the rope marked B in the other hand and pull in opposite directions to tighten the knot. |
8) |
B |
B |
A |
Image #9 below shows the finished knot pulled tight. Cinching down the knot in this way is a very important step as it prevents any slippage in the free end. This knot has a very distinct finished look to it as you can see. Practice it several times and try the much simpler Figure 8 on a Bite so you can see what the finished product should look like and recongize it as correctly or incorrectly tied with just a glance. |
9) |
F |
F |
F |
F |
F |
F |
F |
F |
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