Knots for a newbie?

[Bewarethemoon]

there ya go then...learn em all, cant go wrong!!!

 

But in all seriousness, heres a list of knots you should learn which will help in your grounding before you get up in the trees.

 

bowline, bowline on a bight, and running bowline - multiple uses from a termination knot, to setting a pull line round a trunk or branch.

 

timber hitch - set up the climbers capstan or other rigging devices .

 

clove hitch - great knot for tying things on to the climbers line. I personally prefer this to a marlin spike. They both come apart really easily, but a clove hitch will literally fall apart once the krab or whatever is clipping to it is removed whereas the marlin spike normally requires an ever so gentle tug.

 

reef knot - my knot of choice for sending a line up to a climber.

 

Those few will get you through most anything. Any more you learn for now are a bonus

 

That's awesome mate! Thanks a lot! Just ordered The Tree Climbers Companion too

[Pedroski]

If you're groundying, then make sure you know how to tie a marlin spike one handed. Yeah, it needs a gentle tug to undo it, but it ain't half easy and means you can hold something in one hand, tie the marlin with the other, then clip in what you're holding with the other hand. Also, you can use it for sending up another line - tie the marlin spike, pass end of the other line through the loop and pull it through..... makes a bowline that won't drop the rope.