JRB’s Dictionary for Saddle Hunter’s
Criteria for inclusion: Useful to large audience. Brand agnostic, where possible. This dictionary does not include a list of knots, only knot types and some examples. If anything is missing or incorrect, leave a comment here: Feedback on Dictionary
| BOLD items are defined separately. Select underlined terms to see google images. |
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| ABOK / ABoK – Ashley’s Book of Knots Published in 1944, Clifford Ashley’s 600+ page publication remains the preeminent reference for knots. The ABOK prefix is often used with a knot name. Some knots appear in the book several times and may be referred with multiple references. Example: Poacher’s knot: ABOK #409, #1120, #1228 |
| abseil – A term used in rock climbing, which describes lowering oneself with the use of a rope. Abseil is comparable to rappel, which is the preferred term for use in tree climbing. Also see belay. |
| aider – Although it can be constructed out of various fibers / materials, an aider is effectively a small ‘rope ladder’, with only a few steps, typically used in conjunction with climbing sticks, steps or platforms. |
| AmSteel – High strength, low stretch fiber, specifically a branded variant of Dyneema® by Samson Ropes. See Dyneema® below. For applications and specifications, see: https://www.samsonrope.com/mooring/amsteel–blue Note: Do not assume that a knot (used with cord/rope) also works with Amsteel. |
| anchor – This term has two definitions in the context of climbing: 1. An anchor point is the point in the line at which tension terminated. For a tree climber, the anchor is typically set on the tree being climbed, but in some situations, can be set on another host. The anchor must be both strong and stable, so as not move or loosen after cyclic loading and unloading or movements in the load line when slack is present. See TIP, suspension point, canopy anchor, basal anchor. 2. An anchor knot is a subcategory of the broader set of hitches, which is used in constructing anchors to various hosts. For example, a running bowline is a hitch, but generally not considered appropriate for construction of an anchor. |
| basal anchor – An anchor which is affixed to the base of the tree, commonly used in SRT applications, and of particular effectiveness when branches are between the rope strands and the use of doubled rope systems and canopy anchor SRT systems would be problematic. Note that the use of a basal anchor DOUBLES the load on the tree crotch, or suspension point. |
| belay – Term used in mountain climbing and rescue, but much less in tree climbing, (and sometimes confused with rappel), belay is the act of securing a person to one end of a rope, typically via the belay loop on a rock climbing harness. |
| bend – A type of knot which joins two lines or the two ends of one line. |
| bight – A small section in the middle of a line. Context: “Grab a bight of rope in your hand… bend it to form a loop.” Note: some knots can be tied in the bight (TIB) and some cannot. |
| breaking strength – The amount of force necessary to break an object. See MBS – Minimum Breaking Strength, WLL – Working Load Limit. |
| bridge – Part of the saddle, typically not removeable, specifically a line which connects the left and right bridge loops, providing the the primary load bearing connection point of the saddle. |
| bridge loops – Part of a typical saddle, one over the left and right hip, providing the load bearing connection points for the bridge. |
| buckstrap – An older term for a lineman’s belt or flipline, originating from the time when they were constructed out of a leather strap. |
| bury – that portion of a splice which is covered/buried by the sheath of another section. |
| bypass – The act of getting past a branch or obstruction during a tree climbing exercise. Example: Traditional climbing tree stands were not designed for trees which require bypass of branches. |
| canopy – Any portions of the tree which are out of physical reach by hand from the perspective of a climber on the ground. |
| canopy anchor An anchor point which is in the canopy, and not in reach of a climber on the ground. See anchor, TIP and retrievable. |
| carabiner – General term to refer to all types of carabiners. A carabiner is a rigid, mechanical, closeable coupling device . See climbing carabiner, quick link, delta link, gate, spine, etc. For example, a quick link is a carabiner, but it is different than a climbing carabiner in that it does not have a hinged gate. |
| chirality – Refers to the “handedness” of a knot, as any knot has a mirror image of itself. Coils of Z (or right handed) chirality slope upward from left to right. The coils of S (or left handed) chirality slope upwards from right to left. |
| climbing carabiner – A carabiner designed and rated for climbing applications, typically made of aluminum, with whereby one side is typically a rigid spine and the other a hinged and spring loaded gate which is opened to affix, then closed and locked, typically used to join two hosts, such as a rope and a harness. (Article) Various shapes (pear, oval, D, etc) and styles exist. Locking carabiners should be used for life-safety applications and ideally should be auto locking and “triple action” locked (not screw gates), requiring three independent actions to open (triple action). |
| climbing rope – A rope which is rated for climbing applications. Always buy reputable brands from reputable sources. UIAA ratings can be looked up online. Note: In the context of climbing, the term “rope” refers to a climbing rope. |
| climbing steps – Rigid device which is strapped or affixed to tree, whereby each device has room for one foot, and typically used in sets. |
| climbing sticks – Rigid device which is strapped or affixed to a tree, whereby each device has multiple steps. |
| climbing spikes, spurs or gaffs Ascent devices worn on both feet/legs used by linemen on barkless poles and arborists for the removal of live trees. Part of a climbing system which includes a lineman’s belt, flipline or lanyard. (TCIA Article) JRB: Spikes should not be used for saddle hunting for reasons stated in the article. |
| coil – A length of rope or cord that has been wound or arranged into a series of loops. Could pertain to anything from the storage of rope to part of a knot. |
| cord – a type of cordage (including accessory cord, prusik cord, hitch cord, paracord etc.) which is used to create knots, friction hitches, climbing accessories and utility applications. See page for Cord. See: (article) |
| cordage – a generic term which can refer to cord or rope. |
| crotch / tree crotch – The location where a branch and trunk meet, the typical location for the installation of a climbing rope, typically with a throwball. Climbers should avoid the use of crotches which are shaped like a narrow V, and look for those shaped like a more open U, and not on a horizontal or downward angled branch, as this presents the possibility that the climbing rope might be pulled out onto the limb, causing a break. |
| daisy chain – Various lines, fibers and designs can be used to create a “soft chain”, with short links suitable for attachment / load at short distance of separation. Common uses include attaching sticks to trees, gear hangers and other applications. |
| delta link – A small, triangular screw-gate carabiner, typically steel. Gate must always be screwed closed prior to use. Commonly used as a rappel or tether anchor, but is susceptible to instability, slipping, movement when not under load or during cyclic loading. |
| diameter – the straight line distance measure through the center of a round or cylindrical object. Diameter = Radius x 2. Rope advertised as 8mm rope has an 8mm diameter. The diameter of cordage is measured with a caliper. |
| doubled rope – In the context of rope systems, doubled means “doubled over” or folded . A doubled rope is a single continuous rope which is doubled(folded) over a suspension point (typically a crotch) in the canopy. Examples of doubled rope applications include: DSRT, MRS, an SRT system with a Basal Anchor. Note that a doubled rope is NOT a double rope. Double means two. |
| dress – In the context of knot tying, the steps are typically to tie, dress, set and inspect. Dressing refers to the arrangement of the configuration to optimize security and strength. |
| Dyneema® and Spectra® – Similar products from different manufacturers, these modern, high strength, low stretch fibers are used in many modern cord/rope products and are stronger than steel, yet float on water, made from UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene), also known as HMPE (High Modulus PolyEthylene). |
| dynamic rope – A category of climbing rope designed to stretch and lessen impact force on the climber experienced during a fall, typically used by rock climbers. |
| DRT / DdRT – Legacy acronyms for Doubled Rope Technique; please use “MRS” instead. Rationale: In mountaineering, DOUBLE rope climbing uses two independent ropes and is called DRT. This is different than DOUBLED ROPE technique (DdRT), typical in tree climbing, where the rope is folded or doubled over a tree crotch. Unfortunately, DdRT is frequently referred to as DRT, and is one of the reasons MRS is now the preferred term. |
| DSRT – Doubled Stationary Rope Technique. JRB was not the first person to climb this way, but the original climbing method released by JRB can be classified as a Doubled Stationary Method, deployed on a Moving Rope System (the rope is not anchored). |
| EEL – Either End Loadable – A property of some knots is that they can be loaded on either strand, or both. Examples: Saddle Hunter’s Hitch is EEL. JRB Hitch is not. |
| exploding hitch – A type of quick release hitch whereby after release, the hitch is no longer wrapped around the host. Example: The JRB Hitch is an exploding hitch. |
| eye – A fixed loop in a line, either tied or sewn. |
| eye to eye – A small section of cord with eyes (typically sewn) on both ends, used for tying friction hitches which cannot be fashioned with a prusik loop. Often referred to as an “eye to eye prusik”. |
| Fall Factor – A calculation commonly used in rock climbing systems. FF = Distance of Fall divided by the length of rope available to absorb the energy. Possible values range from 0 – 2 , whereby 0 indicates zero slack and no fall; and 2 indicates the fall distance is double the rope length. See Ropebook Article. |
| false crotch – An installed TIP, typically by a rope climber, on a trunk of a tree that had no viable natural crotches for climbing. Designs can vary. |
| fiber – Generic term which can be used to refer to any fiber or fibers used in the manufacture of rope, cord, webbing, straps, etc. Examples: nylon, polyester, Dyneema®, Spectra® |
| figure 8 – A fixed device, shaped like the number 8, although many variations exist, used for providing friction during a rope rappel. |
| flake – An arrangement of cordage, where the line is laid out in arranged or random coils on a flat surface or a storage bag, such that it can be pulled out and used quickly without tangles. Commonly used with throwline in a flaking bag. |
| footloop – A device worn around the foot, typically consisting of a looped strap and a means of connection to the climbing system, commonly used in ascent in rope climbing systems. |
| flipline – An arborist’s version of a lineman’s belt, typically constructed of a steel core, and used with climbing spikes. |
| friction hitch – A type of hitch, specifically, the family of ‘slide and grip knots’ which join one rope/cord to another while allowing the the position of the friction hitch to be moved along the length of the rope when not loaded, and holding under load, held in place by friction. Most friction hitches hold in only one direction. A few, like the Prusik, hold in both directions. |
| gate – The part of a carabiner which hinges open and closed. Gates should be closed and locked (ideally automatically) in all life safety applications of a carabiner. “Triple Action Carabiners” require three separate actions to open the gate, thus minimizing the chances of unintentional opening. |
| host – The proper term for the object upon which we are affixing a knot, typically a hitch. A tree can be a host; a carabiner can be a host. |
| hitch – A type of knot which cinches and secures a rope or cord to a host or object, which includes another rope or cord, as in the case of a friction hitch. A bowline tied around a tree is not a hitch, because it is not secure. A running bowline is a hitch. |
| IGKT – International Guild of Knot Tyers, an organization which (among other things) reviews new knot submissions to assess originality and usefulness. JRB has “Full Member” status. |
| impact force – The force delivered to a climber’s body during a fall, which is equivalent to the maximum tension in the rope during a fall. High impact force can result in serious injuries including but not limited to spinal compression, fractures, organ damage, (yeah… including the “boys”…), and suspension trauma. The impact force is influenced by many variables including the height of the fall, distance between the climber and anchor, and elongation properties of the rope (static vs dynamic). |
| jam / jammed / jamming – A generally undesirable property of some knots, whereby a knot which is jammed is tight difficult to untie. A knot which is non-jamming or jam-resistant is not prone to jamming and capable of being untied. In the context of a friction hitch, a jammed friction hitch is difficult to move along the host rope. |
| JRB Universal Climbing System – A rope climbing system which (without modification or mechanical devices) can be used for four rope climbing methods: JRB, JRB Hitch, MRS, SRT |
| JRB Hitch Climbing Method – A single rope climbing method that involves climbing between a set of hitches, anchored on the tree as we climb. Uses the JRB Climbing System. |
| kN (kilonewton) – International standard measure for FORCE, rather than pounds, and equivalent to approximately 225 pounds. (online units conversion) |
| knot – A generic term to refer to the entire family of ‘useful complications of cordage’. There are subcategories of knots defined separately: Bends, Loop Knots, Hitches, Friction Hitches. |
| lanyard (or positioning lanyard) – A multi-purpose rope & carabiner based device worn by arborists, used for work positioning applications, frequently used in conjunction with other systems. Designs and applications vary, but often used in the same fashion as a “Lineman’s Belt” for a saddle hunter, although a steel-core flipline is preferred when operating a saw. |
| leg loops – Typical saddles contain a strap which goes around each thigh of the climber, ensuring that it’s not possible to slip out of the bottom of the saddle. Leg loops should not be bypassed or removed. |
| lifeline – A generic climbing term which refers to a line (typically a rope or cable) which provides safety for the climber. Lifelines can be horizontal or vertical, but are typically vertical in typical tree climbing applications, providing an unencumbered path to ground. A lifeline is effectively a tether which is long enough to reach the ground. |
| line – A generic term used to refer to cord, rope, string or similar bendable fiber product. Useful in descriptions such as knot tying which might apply to multiple types. |
| lineman’s belt – Typically constructed of a rope or strap, the lineman’s belt is the saddle hunting name for a positioning lanyard, used to provide stability and positioning for the climber, allowing our hands to be used for other operations as we climb. It goes around the tree, connected the left and right lineman’s loops of the saddle at waist height, providing stability for hands free operation. Because the belt simply goes around the tree and does not cinch, a lineman’s belt will not reliably prevent a fall or injury if the footing of the climber is lost. |
| lineman’s belt loop Part of the saddle, one on left and right waist area, providing connection points for the lineman’s belt. |
| loop – A bend of cord/rope which curves around until the line touches itself. Types: open loop: the ends bend 180° to touch but do not cross, a common step in tying many knots closed loop: the ends bend 360° to touch and cross, a common step in tying many knots fixed loop: the loop is of fixed size, a characteristic of loop knots and some rope devices. |
| loop knot – A loop knot is a type of knot that has a fixed eye. If the loop cinches tight (like a Scaffold knot), it is classified as a Hitch, not a loop knot. |
| MBS – Minimum Breaking Strength is the measured (and typically manufacturer specified) minimum strength of a rope, cord or device. Note that there is commonly a wide variation (standard deviation) in individual measurements of single instance breaking strength; thus determining MBS requires execution of a statistically significant number of tests, at least 5. |
| mechanical advantage (MA) – The the ratio of the force produced by a system to the force applied to it, such as: 2:1 or 3:1. MA systems reduce the effort in each move at the cost of a slower speed and a longer length of rope pulled. MA systems are any which utilizes MA. Examples: MRS, RADS SRT. A system which is 1:1 has no mechanical advantage. |
| mechanical device – Generic term used to refer to a broad array of commercially available mechanical friction devices (to grab and control a rope), used in ascent, rappel, positioning, or combinations of all. Users are responsible for adhering to all manufacturer recommendations, particularly on rope diameter. Note: To the literal definition, even a simple carabiner or Figure 8 could be considered a ‘mechanical device’, but in practice, they are considered simple devices would be referred to by name. In working context, “mechanical” implies a deeper level of complexity, and unknown failure modes. |
| MRS – Moving Rope System, a family of rope climbing methods where by the rope is not anchored and is capable of movement while the climber is on the line. MRS is a 2:1 system, minus the cost of friction, which can vary. |
| paracord – a strong and commercially available cord, typically 3mm, with a strength of several hundred pounds, and handy for many utility applications. |
| paracord preset – A loop of paracord installed over a secure tree crotch, typically with a throwball, allowing a climbing rope to be rigged in the future. |
| platform – A foot platform for a saddle hunter, typically smaller than a conventional tree stand, just large enough for the feet, designed for the hunter to be facing the tree. |
| PPE – Personal Protective Equipment. Includes a helmet for any climbing application. In arborist applications, includes protection for: eyes, ears, face, hands, feet, legs, etc. |
| progress capture – Automatic consumption of slack, or minimization thereof, typically in the context of ascent, pulling and rigging applications. Example: An MRS climber has the option to either manually advance (tend) the friction hitch after each pull, or to rig the system for progress capture (self tending). |
| prusik – This term has multiple meanings which is a problem. Be sure you understand the context when using or encountering the term. 1) The Prusik friction hitch is a popular friction hitch with bi-directional hold. 2) Prusik is commonly used to refer to ANY friction hitch. 3) Prusik is commonly used to refer to the cord or loop used to create a Friction Hitch, including eye-to-eye cords. |
| prusik loop – A closed loop of cord, typically just long enough to form a prusik friction hitch. Can be either closed using a bend (knot) or purchased with a sewn connection. Sewn loops are stronger than those with knots, capable of the MBS of the material. |
| quick release hitch – A hitch that is easily removed by tugging on a release line. Note that exploding hitches are also quick release hitches, but not all quick release hitches are exploding. A quick release may have a strand wrapped around the host, where an exploding hitch does not. |
| quick link – A small screw carabiner lacking a hinged gate, whereby the screw collar is slid / retracted to form the opening in the device. Typically made of steel, less prone to unintentional side loading, and capable of sustaining a bending load better than a carabiner and commonly used in anchors. |
| quickie – A device used (in place of a quick link) in the creation of a canopy anchor. The design has a removable pin in a U shaped device. |
| RADS (or RAD) SRT – Rapid Ascent / Descent System of SRT. Utilizes a mechanical friction device and a pulley and a footloop to gain a 3:1 mechanical advantage in climbing. Note: this is the most popular Saddle Hunting SRT method, but not necessarily for arborists who use other forms. |
| rappel – The act of a climber descending on a rope(s) using a frictional component(s) to control the rate of descent. |
| retrieve / retrievable – Implies the ability to remotely retrieve the device. Example: Retrieval of a canopy anchor when the climber is safely on the ground after rappel. |
| ring of steps – An alternative for a platform, whereby the climber can place footing around the circumference of the tree. |
| rope – a type of cordage used as the primary support line for a climber. See page for Rope. |
| rope device – A somewhat ambiguous term, a rope device is either A) a device partially or fully constructed out of rope/cord OR B) a device which is used to work with ropes, such as a mechanical friction device. Consider the context. |
| rope climbing – Any of several climbing methods whereby the climber ascends the rope itself. There are many methods with multiple variations: MRS (or DRT or DdRT), SRT, DSRT and JRB Hitch Climbing are all rope climbing methods. |
| rope walking – A type of 1:1 SRT climbing used by arborists which uses several mechanical ascenders, typically ankle, knee and chest. |
| run-n-gun (run and gun) – A term synonymous with mobile hunting, whereby a hunter carries all they need to climb and hunt in new territory. |
| saddle (for hunters) – A hunting / tree saddle is a suspension device specifically designed for hunters, and commercially available from various manufacturers. Although designs vary, saddles are typically worn around the hips similar to arborist saddles, but designed to be optimized for comfort, with a longer bridge, and connections for a lineman’s belt. |
| safety factor – The safety factor is a ratio of the Breaking Strength (or MBS) of a component divided by the Working Load. Example: a rope with a 4000 pound MBS which is under a Working load of 200 pounds yields a system with a safety factor of: 4000 divided by 200 = 20. The appropriate safety factor for an application varies. For example, a ladder would typically have a smaller safety factor than a climbing rope. Rationale: a ladder won’t carry much more than the working load, even if the climber carried something or bounced on the ladder. In contrast, a Climbing Rope might absorb a fall, whereby the actual load could be many times the working load due to the acceleration of gravity, and associated velocity and kinetic energy of the falling object. |
| side loading – An inappropriate pulling force placed on a carabiner’s minor (short) axis instead of major (long) axis. |
| slack – That portion of rope in a climbing system which is not under tension during transition and subject to shock loading in the event of an unforeseen mishap. Note: although the tag end of a rope is not under tension, it does not qualify as slack as defined. |
| slipped – In the context of knot tying, a slipped knot is one which is finished with a loop, typically to allow ease of untying. |
| soft shackle – A coupling device (can be purchased or constructed), similar in function to a carabiner, but constructed out of soft materials such as modern fiber rope/cordage, and capable of use in applications where some level bending or twisting would make a rigid device not ideal. |
| spikes – see tree spikes, above. |
| spine – The long and structurally rigid side of a carabiner, opposite the gate. |
| splice – A technique for joining two ends of cordage or creating a loop at the end of cordage without the use of a knot/bend. Common with AmSteel. See bury. |
| SRT – Single Rope Technique, a family of SRS rope climbing methods, whereby the climber ascends and descends on a single strand of anchored and stationary rope. Can use either a canopy anchor or basal anchor. |
| SRR – Single Rope Rappel. |
| SRS – Stationary Rope System, a family of rope climbing methods whereby the rope is Stationary, not moving. Note: The rope must be anchored to qualify as an SRS system. (JRB does not qualify because no anchor.) |
| standing end – When tying knots, the standing end (or standing part) refers to the (typically longer) end, which is not under manipulation, as opposed to the working end, with which is typically manipulated. |
| static rope – A category of climbing rope with minimal stretch, typically used in non slack systems such as arborist, rescue, caving, tactical operations. |
| stopper knot – A knot placed at the end of a line as a backup and best practice, ensuring that in the event of a failure, the line does not pull through the device it is running through, such as a ring, mechanical friction device, or friction hitch. |
| straight gate carabiner – A type of carabiner where the gate is (typically) non-locking, and not thicker than the rest of the carabiner. Typically an oval or D shape. Note : Straight gate carabiners are used in constructing the JRB Garda Hitch Footloop. |
| suspension point – also referred to as a support point, a suspension point is a point in the tree which is absorbs a load. Example 1: In a typical SRT climb utilizing a basal anchor, the crotch is the suspension point, but is not the anchor point. Example 2: In an SRT climb with a canopy anchor, the crotch is the suspension point, anchor point and TIP. Example 3: SRT climb with a basal anchor whereby the rope goes up from the anchor, passes through a crotch and is deflected by two branches before reaching the climber on the ground. The crotch is the primary suspension point and the branches are secondary suspension points, receiving some amount of load which can change as the climber ascends. |
| suspension trauma – See article. Includes symptoms / conditions experienced after a fall onto a fall restraint device, whereby the person remains suspended for a period of time. Includes restricted blood flow and loss of consciousness. |
| tag end (or tag) – 1) In knot tying, after completing a knot, the tag end (or ends) is the amount left over. Synonymous with tail, defined below. 2) Any piece of unused and slack rope or line originating in a knot or apparatus. |
| tail – In the context of tying most knots, the tail refers to the unused end protruding from the finished knot, typically formed by the remainder of the working end. Note that the tail should be adequately long, a minimum of 10x the diameter of the cordage in most applications. Synonymous with tag end. |
| tend / tender/ self tending Tend: An action/verb causing the movement of a friction device in a desired direction. In rope climbing ascent, the friction device is tended upward for progress capture, removing / minimizing slack in the system. Tender (or Tending Device) is a device which tends a friction hitch in the desired direction. Pulleys, rings and carabiners are commonly employed as tenders. Self Tending: The literal definition applies : Tends itself. In the context of describing a system vs a hitch, there are subtle differences. Self Tending System: A self tending system has automatic progress capture, requiring no manual action to advance the friction device. Example: “Double Blake’s Hitch MRS System”. Note that a self tending system might use a tender. Self Tending Friction Hitch: One which allows the removal of slack with only one hand by unloading the hitch and pulling on the rope end in the opposite direction and without the use of a tender. Example 1: Shorten a Tether or Lineman’s belt with one hand. Example 2: Climber is connected to the tree via a friction hitch to a Lifeline which is secured to the tree. Climber steps up, introducing slack, and pulls the dangling end of the rope outward and upward, removing the slack with one hand. |
| tether – A short rope mechanism used to create an anchor point / TIP on the tree, providing a strong, stable, cinching, life-support connection to a tree. A tether is typically constructed from static climbing rope. The rope strand extending from the anchor typically hosts a moveable friction knot or device, connected to the bridge of the saddle using a carabiner. The anchor point for a tether is typically installed within reach of the climber. Unlike a lifeline or climbing rope, a tether is not long enough to reach the ground and poses the risk that the climber could become stuck on the tether in an unforeseen circumstance such as collapse of the footing device. |
| throwball – An arborist throwball is a small bag, filled with lead, typically 12 or 16 oz, used to rig a throwline, and then a rope into a tree crotch. |
| throwline – the cordage used to attach to a throwball, typically 3mm or similar. |
| TIB – Tied in the Bight; an attribute of some knots which can be tied without access to the end of the line. |
| TIP – Tie in Point – A TIP is both an anchor point and a suspension point, and specifies the location in the canopy (typically a tree crotch or a location on a trunk) where an anchor is installed, directly supporting the climber. In an MRS system, the crotch has no anchor and serves as only a suspension point, not a TIP. Unfortunately, many sources of information use the terms synonymously. |
| turn – A turn of rope/cord is one complete arc of 360 degrees, whereby the rope bends into a complete circle and then continues off in the original direction. Note that a “round turn” goes around another 180 degrees, and comes back in the opposite direction as it originated. |
| webbing – Webbing is a rope-like strong, closely woven fabric, commonly used for straps, slings and numerous other applications. Typically made of nylon, polyester, polypropylene and can be flat or tubular in construction. Note: different knots are used with webbing over cord/rope. |
| widowmaker – Term used by loggers to refer to a dead, broken or unstable branch or tree, indicative of their danger, as they can fall without warning and cause death or serious injury. |
| working end – When tying knots using one end of a line, the working end is the end which which is manipulated (worked) to form the knot, as opposed to the standing end. |
| working load limit (WLL) – The amount of load that should be placed on a line or device. Important: the WLL depends on the application and does not indicate the strength of the device. For example, a carabiner purchased at a hardware store might specify an MBS that is less than double the WLL. A climbing carabiner typically has an MBS that is greater than 20 times the WLL. |
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DISCLAIMER: This information is not considered advice nor instruction. The author disclaims responsibility for the clarity, comprehensiveness and accuracy of the content, as well as all liability for accidents or injuries incurred as a result of its use. – JRB Tree Climbing LLC