Page 55 - Nate Fitch, Ron Funderburke "Climbing Knots"

Slings and Cordellette

Slings and cordellette, combined with locking cara-
biners, are also handy ways to attach a rope to an
object. If the object is small enough for a 48-inch
sling or cordellette to enwrap it, a locking carabiner
and a figure 8 with a bight can be used to attach the
rope to the object. As soon as slings, carabiners, ropes,
and cordellette become enchained, it is important to
remember that the strength of a given knot, or of any
link in the chain, is always relative to the weakest link
in the system. Strong knots in strong ropes become
irrelevant if they are attached to poorly tied slings,
open carabiners, or weak objects.
Basketing

Basketing is simply looping a
sling around an object and using
a carabiner to close the loop.
Basketing does not require any
knot or hitch, which not only is
efficient, but also means that the
material strength is not weak-
ened by any knot.
A basketed sling
or cordellette
retains its material
strength as long Double up:
as the object is A quick
not too sharp. overhand
Also, triaxial loads knot creates
can be avoided material
if the basketed redundancy
object has a in a
relatively small basketed
circumference. sling.

42 CLIMBING: KNOTS