Intro to Outdoor Climbing
Welcome to Lesson 3 of your outdoor rock climbing journey! You’ve learned about the thrill of outdoor climbing and the gear you’ll need. This week, we’re zeroing in on the most essential knot for top rope climbing: the figure-eight follow-through. You’ll also learn how to check it for safety and how to handle your rope like a pro. Let’s tie in and get started!
The Figure-Eight Follow-Through Knot
The figure-eight follow-through is the go-to knot for tying your rope to your harness in top rope climbing. It’s strong, reliable, and easy to inspect, making it perfect for beginners.
Purpose: Secures the rope to your harness, keeping you safe while climbing or belaying.
Why It’s Safe: It’s strong under load, won’t come undone, and is easy for you and your partner to double-check.
How to Tie:
About 3 feet from the rope’s end, tie a single figure-eight knot:
From the end of the rope (working end) measure out 3 feet, finger tips to shoulder.
Drop the working end of the rope.
Make a loop in the rope by twisting once to the left. Twist the rope one more time to the left. You should have a loop with two twist below it.
Pass the working-end through the face of the loop facing you, forming an “8” shape.
Pull to tighten slightly.
Thread the rope’s end through your harness’s tie-in points “Hard Points” (check your harness manual—usually both the waist and leg loop tie-in points).
Pull the end of the rope through the “hard points” so your figure-eight knot is about 2 inches from your belay loop.
Retrace the figure-eight knot by following the original “8” path with the rope’s end, keeping the strands parallel, starting from the bottom of the knot and finishing through the top.
Pull the knot tight “dressing the knot”, ensuring it’s snug against the harness.
Leave at least 6 inches of tail.
How to Check:
Look for five pairs of parallel strands in the figure-eight knot (two strands per pair, running side by side).
Ensure the knot is attached to the harness at both “Hard Points” of the harness with no loose loops.
Confirm the tail is at least 6 inches long.
Have your partner inspect the knot before climbing to catch any mistakes.
Safety Note: A mis-tied or unfinished knot can be dangerous. Always double-check your knot and have your partner verify it before climbing.
Rope Handling & Care
Your rope is your lifeline, so proper handling and care are crucial:
Caring for Your Rope:
Inspect for cuts, fraying, or soft spots before and after every use.
Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and chemicals (e.g., gasoline or battery acid).
Wash with mild soap and water if dirty, and air dry (never in a dryer).
Avoid stepping on the rope—it grinds dirt into the fibers and weakens it.
Safety Note: Retire a rope if it has significant damage, a flat or soft core, or has taken a severe fall (check manufacturer’s guidelines).
Practical Exercise: Knot Practice & Rope Care
Challenge: Grab a piece of rope or cord (a shoelace works for practice) and tie the figure-eight follow-through knot at least 10 times. Time yourself to see how quickly you can tie it correctly. Check each knot for five parallel strand pairs, a 6-inch tail, and a stopper knot.
Reflection: After practicing, journal or discuss: How confident do you feel tying the figure-eight? What was tricky? How can you make checking the knot a habit?
Safety Practice: Inspect your practice rope or cord for wear or damage. If you don’t have a rope, watch a video on rope inspection (search “climbing rope inspection” on YouTube) and note one key thing to look for.