| Core tie-in | Figure-eight follow-through |
| At the anchor | Clove hitch, munter hitch |
| Friction hitches | Prusik, klemheist, autoblock |
| Difficulty | Beginner to learn, vital to master |
Climbing knots are the small set of knots, hitches, and bends that climbers rely on to tie into the rope, build anchors, rappel, and perform rescues. A handful do almost everything — the figure-eight to tie in, the clove and munter hitches at the anchor, and friction hitches like the prusik for ascending and backups.
The essential few
Tie in with the figure-eight follow-through; manage anchors with the clove and munter hitches; ascend and back up rappels with the prusik, klemheist, and autoblock.
Joining and backing up
Join cord with the double fisherman’s, rappel ropes with the flat overhand, and finish tie-ins with a stopper knot.
Learn them cold
Practice until you can tie and inspect each without thinking — knots are a life-critical skill best learned hands-on.
Frequently asked questions
What knots should a climber know?
A small core covers most needs: the figure-eight follow-through to tie in, the clove and munter hitches for anchors and backup belaying, the prusik and autoblock friction hitches for ascending and rappel backups, the double fisherman's to join cord, and the flat overhand to join rappel ropes.
What is the most important climbing knot?
The figure-eight follow-through, because it's how you attach yourself to the rope. It's strong, secure, and easy to inspect, which is exactly what a life-critical tie-in knot needs. Every climber learns it first and checks it before every climb.
What's the difference between a knot, a hitch, and a bend?
A knot is tied in a single rope and holds its shape on its own; a hitch ties a rope to an object or another rope and relies on that object to hold; a bend joins two rope ends together. Climbers use all three — for example a figure-eight (knot), clove hitch (hitch), and double fisherman's (bend).
Sources
- Essential climbing knots — American Alpine Club