Page 29 - Duane Raleigh - Knots Ropes for Climbers
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The Single Bowline is simple, but can easily be tied incorrectly.
Single Bowline
If you know nothing about knots, you still likely have heard the Bowline ditty: The rabbit comes out of
the hole, goes around the tree, then goes back in the hole.
One of the original sailing knots, the Bowline immediately found its way among
landlubbing climbers, who savored its strength and the ease with which it unties after holding a load.
Unfortunately, the Single Bowline is a traitorous knot and likes to untie itself in moments of need. For
that reason, the Single Bowline is not recommended for climbing, other than to attach a cord to a nut
tool. I include it here only because you must know how to tie the Single Bowline to master the Double
Bowline.
Common Use
Attaching keeper cord to a nut tool
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Double Bowline with Jack's Variation
The Single Bowline has left such a foul taste with so many people that the bitterness has worn off on
its cousin, the Double Bowline. Indeed, many climbers are afraid of the
