Butterfly coil
Encyclopedia
The Butterfly coil is a method used by climbers
for carrying a rope
that is not attached to harness, unlike the Alpine Coil
. It is most useful when one can approach an anchor point
without needing the coiled rope itself. It is also known as a Backpacker's coil.
The alternate method of coiling starts with taking two arm lengths of rope as before. But instead of coiling the ropes in your hands, you loop it behind your neck and coil the rope back and forth behind your neck. Try to keep the middle longer as before.
In order to secure the coil wrap the ends around the top of the coil 1 or 2 times and pass a bight
through the top of the coil. Finally, pass the two ends through this bight to secure the rope.
This completes the coil, but you can attach the rope to yourself with the following process. Take one end in each hand fairly near the coil. Place the coil behind you with an end going over each shoulder. Pass the ends under your armpits and cross them behind you and behind the coil. Join them in front of you with a square knot
for a hands free method of carrying the rope.
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
for carrying a rope
Rope
A rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
that is not attached to harness, unlike the Alpine Coil
Alpine coil
The Alpine coil is a method used by climbers for carrying a rope, such that the rope remains attached to harnesses and ready for use. It is also known as a mountaineer's coil....
. It is most useful when one can approach an anchor point
Anchor Point
Anchor Point may refer to:*Anchor Point, Alaska, United States*Anchor Point, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada...
without needing the coiled rope itself. It is also known as a Backpacker's coil.
Overview
Starting with the two free ends in your hands, take 1.5 to two arm lengths of rope and let the ends hang free. Now start coiling the rope one arm length at a time, each time placing the coiled rope into your hand in opposite directions. This means that the rope forms two separate "lobes" (or wings, hence the name). These lobes keep twists from forming in the rope. Once you reach the middle of the rope, just add it to the coil. Ideally you keep the end longer than the rest of the coils to mark it for later.The alternate method of coiling starts with taking two arm lengths of rope as before. But instead of coiling the ropes in your hands, you loop it behind your neck and coil the rope back and forth behind your neck. Try to keep the middle longer as before.
In order to secure the coil wrap the ends around the top of the coil 1 or 2 times and pass a bight
Bight (knot)
In knot tying, a bight is a curved section, slack part, or loop between the two ends of a rope, string, or yarn. The term is also used in a more specific way when describing Turk's head knots, indicating how many repetitions of braiding are made in the circuit of a given knot.-Slipped knot:In order...
through the top of the coil. Finally, pass the two ends through this bight to secure the rope.
This completes the coil, but you can attach the rope to yourself with the following process. Take one end in each hand fairly near the coil. Place the coil behind you with an end going over each shoulder. Pass the ends under your armpits and cross them behind you and behind the coil. Join them in front of you with a square knot
Reef knot
The reef knot or square knot is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. Although the reef knot is often seen used for tying two ropes together, it is not recommended for this purpose due to potential instability of the knot.A reef knot is formed by tying...
for a hands free method of carrying the rope.
External links
- How to Butterfly Coil a Rope on WikiHow
- Gunk.com article on rope management
- FM 3-97-61, Rope Management and Knots
Video
- How to Butterfly Coil climbing rope External Video Via Expert Village