Essential knots for climbers

I would like to build a compendium here of knots essential for climbers to learn. Links are welcome as well as any other resources.

I couldn't find a similar thread so I thought I'd start one here.

^^^^WOW^^^^ nice find. Thanks

Animated knots is a great reference. Of note are:

Figure 8 follow through
Figure 8 on a bight
Double overhand (edk)
Double overhand on a bight
Double fisherman's
Clove hitch
Klemheist
Munter (and munter mule)
Prussik
Water knot

Anything I'm missing?

garda hitch (do any of you actually use this?)
bachmann hitch

Maybe not "essential" but nice to know

Inline Figure 8
French Prusik (Autoblock)
Alpine Butterfly
FB Knot (Klemheist variation)
DT-FK Knot (scroll down - basically a "flat double fishermans")

Sean, I think the EDK is a "flat overhand" not a "double overhand".
What's a "double overhand on a bight"?

Triple granny knot with loop flourish

wivanoff wrote:What's a "double overhand on a bight"?

One more I haven't seen included yet is the bunny ears figure 8.

I use this when slapping a rope straight onto an anchor for a fixed rappel, for example. No cordelette needed and only requires 2 carabiners for a 2 bolt anchor

fig 8 ...

prussic ...

double fishermans ..

thats about it ... a beginner can get by with those 3 for quite a while

theres plenty more ... but thats when you start doing bigger better stuff ...

one thing that i see as a warning sign is beginners learning all these fancy knots, but not being proficient with tying em when they are cold, tired, hungry, wet, in the dark ....

some do a knot once or twice, without anyone to check em or understanding em.... and think they are all set ...

you dont need a lot of knots ... but you need to know em by heart, in your sleep, while being mauled by a hungry bear

KISS

;)

bearbreeder wrote: while being mauled by a hungry bear KISS ;)

Greg D wrote: Shit. I forgot what knot to use in this situation. Can you help!

Animated knots for sure!

I really only use:

Figure 8's - on a bight and regular
Grapevine knot
Clove hitch
Munter
Prussik
Overhand knot
Ring Bend knot
Frost knot - if I was making my own etriers

That's all I ever needed really.

Brian Hudson wrote:garda hitch (do any of you actually use this?) bachmann hitch

In order of importance:

8 follow thru
8 on a bight
Double Fisherman - Tie-in Backup
Double Fisherman - Stopper
Double/Triple Fisherman - Joining two ropes - AKA "Grapevine"
Flat Overhand - EDK
Water Knot
Clove Hitch
Munter
Mule
Prussik
Autoblock
Alpine butterfly
Double Figure 8 (Bunny Ears)
Bowline on a bite (another bunny ears knot)
Bowline Tie-In Variants
Prussik Variants

You guys are kidding ? right ?

figure 8

clove hitch

I know! I routinely use about 4 knots all the time.

Once my slings are made, etc. I use but a Fig 8, Clove Hitch, Autoblock and Prussik. That's about it!

ESP since this was a beginner thread.. you don't need to know all that other crap now,,, or maybe ever

You can do most things with an 8 and a clove hitch.

But not knowing a friction knot and an alpine butterfly when you need them will ruin you. I'll also add munter (half clove hitch). Thing is super handy.

john strand wrote:ESP since this was a beginner thread.. you don't need to know all that other crap now,,, or maybe ever

Spri wrote:You can do most things with an 8 and a clove hitch. But not knowing a friction knot and an alpine butterfly when you need them will ruin you. I'll also add munter (half clove hitch). Thing is super handy.