Tying climb lines together

[Neill]

I’ve been base tying a few of tall pines lately and my ropes are too short for the task. Clearly I could use a longer rope, but in a pinch what is your “ best” option for tying two climb lines together?

 

[Acerxharlowii]

Zeplin bend

 

[chiselbit]

I like a figure 8 follow through. And then just for kicks tie the tails off with fisherman/ scaffold.

 

[Reach]

I like a figure 8 follow through. And then just for kicks tie the tails off with fisherman/ scaffold.

I’ve done that, that makes for a very strong knot that can be trusted completely. I’ve also used a pair of Bowlines, with the tails tied off with a Double Fisherman’s. That one is easier to teach to guys who don’t use a Figure 8 for anything else.

 

[Serf Life]

There’s a thread on this from last(?) year. Zeppelin is hard to beat for security/strength/ease of tying/untying and ease of inspecting.

 

[SeanRuel]

Zep bend with long tails stopped with double fisherman's knots if I'm feeling paranoid

 

[chiselbit]

I’m about to derail this a little bit hopefully we can still stay close to the op question.
Scenario: you are pulling a tree with your masdam rope puller and you don’t want to attach the 3 strand directly to the tree and have installed a dedicated “get smashed rope”. Now you need to connect it (midline on the smash rope) to the end of your 3 strand. What knot would you use?

 

[Jehinten]

I’m about to derail this a little bit hopefully we can still stay close to the op question.
Scenario: you are pulling a tree with your masdam rope puller and you don’t want to attach the 3 strand directly to the tree and have installed a dedicated “get smashed rope”. Now you need to connect it (midline on the smash rope) to the end of your 3 strand. What knot would you use?

If this was a regular occurrence, I'd splice the three strand and use a dedicated carabiner. For the smash rope, if at the end I'd use a regular bowline. If it's a mid-rope knot I'd use a painter's bowline.

 

[oldoakman]

Getting back to the original question, either the zeplin bend or double/retraced figure "8". The double/retraced "8" is my go to basal tie knot. Absolutely solid.

 

[southsoundtree]

European Death knot butted up against a second EDK. It is asymmetrical, making it feed better in some situations at the knot can roll to the 'outside. Well tied, dressed, and set.

 

[DSMc]

The knots used to join two ropes will vary depending upon each rope's knot holding properties.

Supple lines with great knot holding ability, are a major asset/quality that should not be overlooked when choosing climbing ropes.

 

[Neill]

Thanks all, good advice as always.

 

[dmonn]

I've got a 12" eye splice in the end of my 3-strand that makes for easy connections. I've been using a Big Dan to connect to my smash line, but that's a hefty chunk of steel. If I'm pushing the limits of my rope puller, it makes me nervous about a steel projectile coming at me. I'm wondering if anybody uses a soft shackle for those situations. Maybe something using beefy amsteel?

 

[Jehinten]

I've got a 12" eye splice in the end of my 3-strand that makes for easy connections. I've been using a Big Dan to connect to my smash line, but that's a hefty chunk of steel. If I'm pushing the limits of my rope puller, it makes me nervous about a steel projectile coming at me. I'm wondering if anybody uses a soft shackle for those situations. Maybe something using beefy amsteel?

If there's ever a question of something becoming a projectile, I weigh the pull line. Should it break loose it will push the line into the ground instead of flying back to you.

 

[Vicente]

If there's ever a question of something becoming a projectile, I weigh the pull line. Should it break loose it will push the line into the ground instead of flying back to you.

Me too.

 

[Muggs]

If there's ever a question of something becoming a projectile, I weigh the pull line. Should it break loose it will push the line into the ground instead of flying back to you.

What do you use for weight?

 

[Vicente]

What do you use for weight?

I'll throw a section of big rigging line over it.

 

[Muggs]

I'll throw a section of big rigging line over it.

Gotcha. Want to use something heavy enough to do the job but not so heavy that it cuts into your pulling power

 

[moss]

I've never stopped using Double Overhand Fisherman's for joining two climbing lines. Probably because I weigh nothing, never had an issue separating the lines after climbing. I like like how clean and secure it is. Everyone likes what they like.
-AJ

 

[Jehinten]

What do you use for weight?

No one thing in particular. Sometimes it's just a heavy coat (usually no metal involved here. Just deflecting rope should it break) or clip a full rope bag to it.

Gotcha. Want to use something heavy enough to do the job but not so heavy that it cuts into your pulling power

I'm curious if a heavy item would cut into your pulling power. No evidence to back it up, but I'd imagine a weight in the middle of the span would be similar to someone sweating the line. Therefore actually increasing the pull. By very little, I'm sure.


As an experiment (or mental visual aid) consider tying a rope taught between two small tree tops. Clip your self to the middle and hang, and you'll see both tops pulling inward as the pull on the line increases. If you physically do this, it's best to pick saplings at ground level or to have a backup TIP.