Passing knots on rope

Want to know how to pass a knot on rappel? Or climbing rope? Sometimes we have to bypass an obstruction due to tying two ropes together or isolating a damaged section of rope. Here I will show you how to accomplish this with minimal gear.

[@HundyBills]

Hey thanks for your video. I've recently got into rappelling and so I made a check list of things I need to master before I go really big and passing a knot is one of those things.

[@neitzsche5150]

Perry, great job! Your video makes me stop and think, "What could go wrong with my climbing rope?" I'll have to add two additional items to my work plan check list: bring an additional prusik & fall arrest device as a self rescue kit in case my climbing rope gets damaged or abraded badly. Arborists are taught to inspect the tree and surrounding area for signs of root damage/rot, hazards such as wasp nests, poison ivy, or electrical conductors, etc. We don't think about passing knots, but you raise an important safety question. I will climb safer because of this video. Much appreciated.

[@perryfire3006]

If you are an arborist then you should check out the rescue competitions for tree workers. They do things a bit different because of the gear but really interesting. And yes, a set of prusiks will get you out of a lot of predicaments.

[@KevinBuck-jn9zp]

Perry, wonderfully clear video! I do, however, have one suggestion. When you have your weight on the prussik(s)/ascender above the knot you are passing, and you take off the assisted breaking device, you are relying on just the ascender and prussik(s) to hold you. Friction hitches and mechanical devices like ascenders are not to be used alone to support your life without some type of fall arrestor device or system to back them up. The ascender could flip open, the prussik/friction hitch could come loose if pushed from the top or bottom, and then you could fall to your death. A simple solution in both of these circumstances is to tie a catastrophe knot a few inches below the knot you are passing (and below your bottom prussik when passing on an ascent), and clip this into your harness belay loop or hard points. An example would be a figure 8 on a bight or overhand on a bight or clove hitch. Then, if the ascendors or friction hitches fail when your ABD is out of the system and being moved over the knot you are passing, the furthest you can fall is to that catastrophe knot, and you will hang off it, saving your life. Overall, great video, but adding this addition would make it safer. Keep up the great videos, I think they are helping a lot of people!

[@perryfire3006]

Check out this video that is up to professional standards in the rope access world: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpTTk4Rria6Xaas Your points are all valid as you can never be too careful. However, there are different standards of safety according to what you are doing. That is why I labeled the technique for sport rappels. All great points though, thank you for sharing. Cheers

[@HundyBills]

Hey thanks for your video. I've recently got into rappelling and so I made a check list of things I need to master before I go really big and passing a knot is one of those things.

[@perryfire3006]

Excellent mind-set. Always be prepared for something going wrong. I always carry a set of prusiks on my harness as insurance should I need them. Good Luck!

[@HundyBills]

@@perryfire3006 I’ve been going bigger and bigger and I’m glad I’m doing that slowly bc today I noticed my hand was cramping up pretty bad so I’m learning my weaknesses before I get in over my head. It’s time to start some strength training. Thanks again.