Page Contents:
Overview
A Canopy Anchor is a strong, cinched, stable and secure anchor, set in the tree above climber, typically in a strong tree crotch, but could capture the trunk or both a crotch(s) and the trunk. A canopy anchor should always be retrievable, such that the climber can get the rope down after rappel or abort a climb at anytime. A canopy anchor is used in conjunction with SRT climbing. For more info about SRT Climbing Method and Systems, see:
Throwball Required
This page focusses on canopy anchors which are 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, rigged over a secure crotch, using any of the fixed loop knots on the following page:
- Alpine Butterfly
- Figure 8 End Loop
- Scott’s Locked Bowline
- Bowline on the Bight
The Bowline on the Bight and Scott’s Locked Bowline have advantages for SRT systems which have the friction hitch already installed and which needs to pass through the loop in midair.
Note: When rigging a running loop, the ‘climbing end’ of the rope is pulled up and over the crotch, and then passed through the loop. The loop is NOT passed over the crotch.
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.
Maverick Hitch on a Crotch
The Maverick Hitch can be used as a canopy anchor on a conventional crotch. The ‘climbing end’ of the rope is pulled up and over the crotch, and the Maverick is formed with the other side.
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.
Longhorn Agile Hitch as a Canopy Anchor
Longhorn Agile Hitch can be used to form a canopy anchor on a secure crotch. In a DSRT system, if there is already a Longhorn Agile Hitch on the end of the rope, it can be transformed into a canopy anchor. In this situation, JRB prefers to form the anchor with the end of the rope which has passed up and over the crotch.
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.