Page 66 - D. Raleigh "Knots and ropes for climbers"

flake or flake out: to loosely stack an uncoiled rope so it can pay out without snarling.

flat webbing: webbing that is manufactured flat, as opposed to tubular. Flat webbing is common in
harnesses, but otherwise is seldom used for climbing.

H

hand: the "feel" of a rope--stiff or soft.

hawser: a large-diameter laid or twisted rope. Not applicable to climbing or rappeling.

hitch: a knot that secures a rope to an object, which can include another rope.

K

kern: see core.

kernmantle: a two-part rope construction having a braided or twisted core, the kern, and a braided
sheath, the mantle. Climbing ropes are exclusively of kernmantle construction.

Kevlar: a high-strength fiber used in cord.

L

laid rope: rope with a twisted construction. Ropes of this sort are no longer used for climbing but are
still popular with sport rappels. Typically, the core of a kernmantle rope has a laid construction.

M

mantle: a kernmantle rope's braided covering or sheath.

maximum impact force: the peak force generated in a fall. By UIAA standards, the maximum allowed
is 2,640 pounds for single and twin ropes and 1,760 pounds for double ropes.

N

nip: the pressure, or binding, point in a knot that prevents it from slipping.

P

pay out: to feed or slack out rope.

perlon: nylon rope, but usually meant to describe kernmantle cord under 9 millimeters in diameter.

Q

quickdraw: a short length of webbing (usually 6 inches or less) with a loop stitched or tied into each
end.

R
rappel: to slide down a rope.

rope bag: a sack, usually nylon, used to store a rope. Most rope bags also have a built-in tarp that
keeps the flaked rope out of the dirt.