Aug 12 • Double Rope Techniques
Blakes hitch
The Blake's Hitch is a popular friction hitch among arborists and climbers for its security and ease of use. It's unique because it's tied with the end of a rope, unlike other hitches like the Prusik, which require a separate loop.
How to Tie the Blake's Hitch
The basic method for tying a Blake's Hitch involves wrapping the end of your climbing rope around the main line. Here is a step-by-step guide:
* Set up your climbing line: First, your main climbing rope needs to be anchored to a sturdy point in the tree, like a strong limb. The rope should be hanging down to the ground.
* Make the wraps: Take the end of your rope (the working end) and wrap it around the main, or "standing," part of your climbing line. Make four wraps, moving upwards.
* Cross over: Bring the working end of the rope down and across the front of the standing end.
* Tuck the working end: Now, you'll thread the working end through the knot you've created. You'll need to tuck it behind the standing line and under the first two wraps you made.
* Exit in the middle: The working end should exit the knot so that it's coming out from between the bottom two wraps and the top two wraps.
* Dress the knot: Gently pull on both the working end and the standing part of the rope to tighten and "dress" the knot. This means making sure it's neat and tight, with all the wraps lying flat.
* Add a stopper knot: This is a crucial safety step. Always tie a stopper knot, such as a Figure-Eight knot, on the end of the rope that extends from the Blake's Hitch. This prevents the hitch from accidentally coming undone or "rolling out" under load.
Key Considerations
* Rope Compatibility: The Blake's Hitch works best with specific rope diameters. It's essential to ensure your ropes are compatible for the hitch to grip properly.
* Stopper Knot: The stopper knot is not optional. It is a critical safety measure that provides a backup in case the hitch fails.
* Practice: Like any knot, the Blake's Hitch requires practice. Before using it for climbing, practice tying it and getting a feel for how it slides and grips the rope when it's under tension.
* Arborist-specific use: While the basic knot is the same, arborists often use a "split tail" setup with a Blake's Hitch as a separate piece of gear, which is then attached to their harness.
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Blakes hitch
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All you need to know to safely ascend and decend in a tree. Either S.R.T or D.R.T also basic and advanced knotts both for climbing and rigging.
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