Page 67 - Nate Fitch, Ron Funderburke "Climbing Knots"

Guide’s Insight

A former climbing partner of mine sent me a
photo from my early days of climbing. In the
photo I have arrived at the top of a climb, elated
and pleased with myself. My friend, however,
uses the photo to point out my use of a daisy
chain. In those days I used the daisy chain,
permanently attached to my harness, anytime I
needed to anchor. I knew the clove, but I never
understood its utility.
Today, I am such a vehement advocate of
the clove hitch that it is hard to remember those
daisy chain days, so my friend likes to remind
me where I came from. But I do remember how
I became convinced that the clove hitch was a
better option. The application heuristic showed
me that I had become attached to the daisy chain
without thought or consideration. As a result, I
assumed that the limitations (limited adjustabil-
ity, manufacturer’s recommended use, and fairly
short length) of that tool were inherent difficulties
of the sport.
That is not true, of course. When I began to
COPE with the clove hitch and the occasional
use of a sling, I felt more secure, I was always in
a better position to observe the second climber,
and my photos were less indicative of my lack of
knowledge.

54 CLIMBING: KNOTS