Are you really gonna climb on that...Scaffold Hitch?


This is supplementary course material I have prepared for some of my students, but I thought the folks here might enjoy it as well. Keep in mind that this series is intended to spark discussion and critical thinking - it is not substitute for instruction. Please don't hurt or kill yourself. More installments are on the way!

Inspired by Hunabku’s constant question, the AYRGCOT series aims to:

-Examine the potential for errors, so as to better avoid them.
-Discuss methods of mitigating this error potential.
-Consider our application and misapplication of climbing tools to inspire versatility.
-Practice the essential skill of system analysis.

Take a moment to examine the proposed knots and answer the question in your own head (before scrolling down!):
Are you really gonna climb on both of these scaffold hitches?

When looking at new systems, climbers generally seem offer one of five responses:
1. No, it’s dangerous.
2. System looks good, I’d climb on it anytime.
3. Not best practice, but it’ll hold in an extreme emergency.
4. I’d use once but not regularly - It doesn’t function the way I prefer.
5. The system/knot/tool is unfamiliar - so better to not climb on it.

For the mental exercise, lets try to decide between the first three.

Here’s the video discussion of the knot. Caution: Spoilers!

Without watching the video I'll say the following:

The knot in the photo on the right looks wrong and unsafe, the knot on the left looks correct, this just from a quick look without being too analytical, tough to tell without handling the knot.
-AJ

Ok, I watched the video, good job Oak.

Funny though, I tie the Scaffold Hitch differently than the method you show, either it's right or it falls apart while tying.

Nevertheless the point is a good one, learn your knots, tie them well. If so you won't be deceived if you truly know your life support knot. I would also add, climbers (who are not being facilitated) should tie their own life support knots.
-AJ

I agree with moss. The tail exits in the wrong direction and finished the wrong side of the rope in the right hand knot. Neither of them look very set to me. Always weight test before you climb

EDIT: after watching the video my suspicions were confirmed. For someone learning this knot, maybe tie it the slightly slower way by making the bight first then the double overhand knot around the bight. I that is less likely to result in tieing the knot wrong if you are just learning this knot.

Good post Oak!

Pretty slick Oak. I always tuck the tail instead of tucking the bight, just the way I learned to tie it... and I agree with moss... Tie your own knots!

Absolutely great advice. And a fool-resistant method of getting this knot right. So far, I've only taught this knot to folks I mentor, and all of them have some sort of prior rope experience. Many are used to tying a "barrel knot" / "backup knot" with the tail from a figure 8 loop as common in rock climbing and ropes courses. This is tied with the working end, and I have them tie it using that method.

To discuss my personal preference, I tie it on a bight because I find it faster. I know the knot both in my mind and my hands. And part of my physical process of tying this knot is pulling the standing part to ensure the knot is slipped correctly. I do something similar when tying safety knots during facilitation: I tied the knot, set and check it in one motion - tying and physically checking the knot are not separate processes.



Moss, do you mean you tie it with the working end as Hook and Ben described? Or some other method entirely?

Yep, same as Hook and Ben described, form a bight, wrap the tail twice around the bight forming an X, slide the tail up through/under the X, dress and set. I find the X is a good visual cue for beginners learning the knot. As I'm dressing and setting the knot I'm pulling on all the legs to verify everything's kosher and adjust the tail to a length I like.
-AJ

For what it's worth.

Cecil, love your book (Kno-Knonsense Knots by Cecil Hemp), looking at it right now.

I must be doing something wrong, tying it by the instructions above I get the "unsafe" version of the knot. Hmmm.

Using the method in your book pg. 57, getting the correct version of the knot.
-AJ

Moss,

The knot posted will be a mirror version of that shown on page 57, but it should be safe. Do you mean that loading the END reduces loop size, or that the double overhand
doesn't pull up neatly (looks like an anchor hitch?)

Thanks for the compliment.

Cecil

Aha, mental error on my part, using a short piece of rope I confused the standing part with the working end, all makes sense now.
-AJ

Hmmm. Had to stare at that one for a while before I "got it". I guess whenever I tie the thing (and I routinely use this as a rope terminator), I slide it tight on the 'biner so that I can feel that the thing is set up right.

Mark,

I'm not hung up on any method, anytime, It's just that scouts seem to remember better when told, "If you ain't hurtin' now, you will be if you try to hang on it."

Cecil