Page 27 - Cliff Jacobson - Knots for the Outdoors
P. 27
FIGURE 9. BOWLINE
The bowline is a very secure knot that won’t slip, regardless of the load applied. It is
commonly used by mountain climbers to tie their climbing ropes around their waists. Use
this knot whenever you want to put a nonslip loop on the end of a line. Beginners are often
told to make the bowline by forming a loop, or “rabbit hole.” The rabbit (working end of the
rope) comes up through the hole, around the tree (standing part of the rope), and back down
the hole. The bowline will slip a few inches before it tightens, so allow an extra-long
working end.
FIGURE 10. LOCKING BOWLINE
For complete security, especially in slippery plastic ropes, complete the bowline with two
half hitches, as illustrated. This “improved bowline” is sometimes called the locking
bowline. Figure 19a shows how to tie a basic half hitch.
