How to Rig a Climbing Rope in a Tree

Properly rig your rope for successful tree climbing.

Tree climbing has come a long way since the days of pulling your way through the maple in your backyard as a child. Today, tree climbing involves technical climbing gear and safety equipment and is used to climb and maneuver through trees over 100 feet tall. With its roots in rock climbing and arborist activities, recreational tree climbing is an increasingly popular sport that presents climbers with greater opportunities to get out and hone their skills than big wall climbers.

Things You'll Need

• Weighted throw bag
• Throw line
• Climbing rope
• Climbing harness
• Cambium savers
• Carabiners
• Ascenders

Instructions

1. Prepare the throw line. Use a small-diameter length of rope and attach a small bag to one end. The bag can be filled with metal shot to provide weight for the line.

2. Form a figure-eight knot in the main line. Double the line several inches from the end to form a loop. Pull the free end over the main line and then around and under. Bring the free end back up and through the loop.

3. Form a figure-eight knot with the throw line alongside the figure eight in the main line. Pull the free end of the smaller-diameter throw line through the knot in the main line following the figure-eight pattern. Pull down tightly on both lines to make sure the knots interlock and are secure.

4. Put on a climbing helmet and harness. Inspect all equipment before use to ensure it is in good condition.

5. Hold the throw line near the weighted throw bag. Stand below and off to the side of the limb that you will be throwing to.

6. Use an underhand throwing motion to propel the bag over the limb. Allow the throw line to feed over the limb as the throw bag drops back down to the ground.

7. Attach cambium or bark savers to the climbing rope at points where the rope may contact, rub and damage the tree. Pull on the climbing rope to test the strength of the tree branch to make sure it is suitable for supporting your weight.

8. Attach the climbing rope to your harness by tying in or attaching to carabiners. Also attach other gear such as climbing ascenders to the line to help with climbing.

References

• Animated Knots by Grog: Figure Eight
• Active: Up a Tree