Which knot is a friction hitch used for rope ascent?

Which knot is a friction hitch used for rope ascent?

• A. Water Knot
• B. Prusik Loop
• C. Figure Eight
• D. Half Hitch

Answer: (B)

The ability to ascend a rope with a hitch relies on a friction hitch that grips the rope when loaded but frees when you move. The Prusik Loop does this by wrapping a short cord around the main rope in a tight, sliding hitch. When you weight the loop, the wraps cinch down and create enough friction to hold your position, so you don’t slide down. To move up, you shift and slide the loop up the rope, re-engaging the grip as you load it again. The other knots don’t function as a practical friction hitch for rope ascent: the Water Knot is used to join webbing ends, not to grip a rope; the Figure Eight is a stopper or anchor knot, not a climbing friction hitch; and a Half Hitch is a simple securement knot that doesn’t reliably grip a rope to support ascent.

The ability to ascend a rope with a hitch relies on a friction hitch that grips the rope when loaded but frees when you move. The Prusik Loop does this by wrapping a short cord around the main rope in a tight, sliding hitch. When you weight the loop, the wraps cinch down and create enough friction to hold your position, so you don’t slide down. To move up, you shift and slide the loop up the rope, re-engaging the grip as you load it again. The other knots don’t function as a practical friction hitch for rope ascent: the Water Knot is used to join webbing ends, not to grip a rope; the Figure Eight is a stopper or anchor knot, not a climbing friction hitch; and a Half Hitch is a simple securement knot that doesn’t reliably grip a rope to support ascent.