Stopper knot in you climbing line?

[russelltree]

I'm interested to hear what's being taught in different places regarding the old stopper knot 'rule'.

A stopper knot in the end of your climbing line can be problematic in certain situations, such as clearing lines through trees with tight crotches, allowing brush to build up on the ground below the tree, etc. but as I was taught and as I still believe to be true, stopper knots are insurance. I've seen a climber, in an aerial rescue event, come to the end of his climbing line in a bag. He was disappointed that he did not finish his rescue but everyone else felt differently.

A stopper knot is no replacement for continual climbing line management but the way I see it the pros out-weigh the cons in this case.

What do you all think?

Stopper knot or no stopper knot? And why?

Thanks in advance,

Russell

 

[Winch]

Ran into trouble with my stopper knot recently. I have one on the end of my 150' New England Imori line (love that rope), and had the end of the rope fed out through the top of one of those back pack bags with a hole on the top for the rope.

Crane removal, backpack rope helps, usually.

At some pointin the removal, decided to throw the bag to the ground. Then later when I inevitably had to move my rope, the stopper knot at the end of the rope in the bag prevented it from leaving the bag. So the bag came up and got caught in some foliage from another tree underneath.

So this caused me to swear. No big deal, had to just unsnag the bag with the crane later, but it was a pita nonetheless.

Shoulda used my short (bagless) rope!

Most of the time I single line, where stopper knots are totally unnecessary.

 

[Shawn]

I have never used one and never will. Its just too great a risk of it snagging in the canopy while Im repositioning or tossing my line around.

The way I see it, and I hope no one takes offense to this, the only thing I count on to get me safely to the ground is ME. It seems to me that some people use stopper knots as a crutch to lean on as "insurance" that they'll get down safely, when in reality the responsibility to manage their line, specifically the length awareness, falls squarely on the climber him/herself.

Thats just me, but I personally think stopper knots are a ridiculous work practice. Know your rope, know your gear, and you'll be fine.

 

[TC]

Spliced eyes both ends so no need for stopper knots, but if I'm climbing on rope without eyes, I always have a stopper knot in the trailing end, you'd be a fool not to regardless of occasionally coming up against snagging when clearing the rope through tight crotches etc.

 

[RopeShield]

Depends on the tree and the work climb.
End line Knots can be a big nuisance so often.

Falling off the end of rope will kill!

Better safe than sorry.

 

[southsoundtree]

Always. I like to carry my rope in a bag on DdRT.

Too many accounts over the years of people going off the end of their ropes.

Day to day, its less likely, but in tall trees, with an emergency, it could make a bad situation like bees, worse.

If I know that it might snag in a tight crotch, I have the groundie untie it, then I'll retie it.

Better an occasional nuisance, than if I really need it and its not there.

Chernobyl. Would have been okay, IIRC, had they not been slack on their backup systems.

Going off the end of the rope is Chernobyl like on the scope of a climber.

 

[DSMc]

Never. There are a few things that are important enough that mental carelessness is not acceptable. However, I do not climb with a rope bag. If I did I would most definately use a stopper knot.

Dave

 

[southpaw]

i have a couple climbing mentors, one is for stopper knots, one against. I feel safer having one in but have gotten it snagged a few times so generally only use one if i'm over 60'

 

[RyanCafferky]

I don't typically use a stopper knot. I've had them snag too many times and be a hassle for me to undo the mess. Only if I am coming down and see that my rope is too short do I put one in. Before I head up I always make sure that I use a rope that is long enough for the tree I am working on.