Page Contents:
Overview
To the literal definition, a Canopy Anchor is anything that is tied above us in the tree. Note that JRB has captured Trunk Anchors (Choking Anchors) on a separate page, and defines Canopy Anchors as those which are installed and retrieved from the ground and which provide a strong, cinched, stable and secure anchor, suitable for SRT. Canopy anchors are typically installed in a strong, secure crotch in the tree, typically after use of a throwball (although there are exceptions). For more info about SRT Climbing Method and Systems, see:
Throwball Required
Typically, a canopy anchor is installed using a throwball or a paracord preset, installed after the use of a throwball. See:
Other installation types
Manual and pole based installation methods are covered on separate pages. In a tree which cannot be rigged with a throwball, a floating anchor can installed using a different climbing method, and a Maverick hitch.
Any of the trunk anchors can be installed manually or with a pole and qualify as canopy anchors.
The Anchors
Running Loop
The simplest canopy anchor is a “running” loop, with the line over a crotch and passed through a fixed loop tied on one end of the rope. The most popular running loop is the “Running Bowline”, although JRB does not recommend a conventional Bowline for a life safety application. A running loop can be created using any of the fixed loop knots on the following page:
JRB Bowline
The JRB Bowline has the best performance in SRT systems which have the friction hitch already installed and which needs to pass through the loop in midair.
This video shows four configurations for retrievable canopy anchors using the JRB bowline:
Note: When rigging a running loop or a preconfigured SRT system, the ‘climbing end’ of the rope is pulled up and over the crotch, and then passed through the loop. The loop should NOT passed over the crotch, due to it’s bulk and higher likelihood of getting stuck.
Quick Link / Quickie
A (steel) Quick Link or Quickie on a sewn eye or tied with a secure knot (Scaffold knot is recommended) makes a reliable canopy anchor and has less friction than a running loop. Note: It is the ‘climbing end’ of the rope which is pulled up and over the crotch. The device is NOT passed over the crotch.
Super Maverick Hitch
The Super Maverick Hitch can be used as a canopy anchor on a conventional crotch. Note that the Super Maverick outperforms the standard Maverick in this application, particularly in the ease of pulling back the anchor rather than exploding it. The first video shows how to tie it and the second video shows how JRB uses it.
Longhorn Agile Hitch as a Canopy Anchor
A Longhorn Agile Hitch configured with the “Stable Finish” can be used to form a canopy anchor on a secure crotch. For example, in a Universal system, given that there is already a Longhorn Agile Hitch on the end of the rope, it can be converted into a canopy anchor by adding a carabiner toggle and a stopper knot. In this situation, JRB prefers to form the anchor with the end of the rope which has passed up and over the crotch.
Related Techniques
This section captures some related techniques in creating a canopy anchor.
Maverick Hitch Captures the Trunk
In a situation where the branch is horizontal (or sloped downward), a Maverick hitch can be rigged to capture the trunk, under the assumption that there are no lower branches.
Maverick Hitch, Houdini Rigging
If there are no viable crotches, the first branch on the tree can be used to pull up a canopy anchor which captures the trunk and leaves no load on the branch. Depending on preference, the climber can use the Maverick or the Super Maverick hitch for Houdini rigging.
Always retrieve
Leaving a climbing rope in a tree for any length of time is not recommended. Always retrieve your rope and leave a paracord preset in its place if you wish to return to that tree.