RE: [Paddlewise] whatsa prusik?

I'll be interested in hearing what Bill Hansen's answer is ('cause I
couldn't quite picture what he was describing), but just for reference check
out http://fmg-www.cs.ucla.edu/geoff/prusik_knot.html for a nice reference
on the prusik knot.  It's basically a climber's knot - typically used to
secure a loop of line to a "standing" line in a manner that will hold tight
under pressure, but release and slide easily up (or down) the line when the
pressure is removed.  A climber can use two prusik loops to ascend a fixed
rope by "walking" up the line by standing in the loops.  Pressure on the
left - the prusik tightens and holds, which allows the climber to take the
weight off the right foot and slide the prusik up the rope - then put weight
on the right and releasing the left and sliding it up.  Slow going and
typically done with mechanical ascenders these days.   Not a very good
description - I can tie them much more easily than I can describe them!
Thus the web link...

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska


Bill Leonhardt wrote:
> 
> Whatsa prussik??
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