Page 79 - Duane Raleigh - Knots Ropes for Climbers

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Quickdraws

Quickdraws are short, 4- to 6-inch straps of webbing used to clip bolts, or nuts or cams when the line

is straight and rope drag won't be a problem. You can tie quickdraws from a couple feet of 9/16-inch
tubular webbing, but since quickdraws are too short to thread through anything anyway, the less bulky
sewn versions are superior. Sewn quickdraws

are usually made from flat webbing and have a rubber band or gasket to trap the bottom carabiner.
Most sport climbers own about two dozen quickdraws.

Quickdraw.

Daisy Chains

Wall climbers will often find that they need to fix themselves to an anchor, usually to hang from it, but
need to do so without tying up the rope. The daisy chain is built for just such a need. This 3- to 6-foot

length of 9/16-inch webbing has pockets every 2 inches for its entire length. Girth Hitch the daisy
chain through the leg loops and belt of your harness, and you have a row of convenient attachment
points. Since you usually anchor to two pieces of protection, permanently fix two daisy chains to your
harness.

To make a daisy chain, purchase 20 feet of 9/16-inch tubular webbing. Tie the ends

together with a Ring Bend. Leave the tails long and tape them so they never work free.

Next, grab both sides of the loop, and tie a series of Overhands every 2 inches. Make one side of each
forming pocket slightly longer than the other so you clip into the thing when the daisy chain is pulled
taut.

Aiders

Aiders, or webbing ladders, are another indispensable item for the aid climber. These you can buy