How to Climb With Only a Rope

By Richard Thomas

AHodges/Commons.wikimedia.org

Basic rope climbing is a skill for a number of outdoor sports, never mind its utility as a survival skill. Things like tree climbing, canyoning, caving and rock climbing all use ropes. Also, rope climbing techniques are a great way to exercise for general fitness, as getting up the rope requires a lot from the upper body and abdomen, plus a little effort from the legs. This method does not use carabiners, a rock face, or even knots in the rope for assistance. It relies entirely on the rope itself and your own body.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need:

Length of rope
Suitable anchoring point

Step 1

Raise your hands over your head and take up the rope with both of them.

Step 2

Make a short jump while pulling down on the rope with your hands. While making this jump, clamp the rope between your thighs and wrap your feet around the rope so that it is locked up between them. This will place most of your weight on your legs and feet whenever you aren't pulling up, greatly reducing the amount of work you must do to stay on the rope.

Step 3

Reach up on the rope again. You should go at least as high as your face, and preferably above your head.

Step 4

Let your feet and thighs drop the rope, and then raise your knees so that you can once again clamp the rope between your thighs and entwine it between your feet, but this time on a higher position on the rope.

Step 5

Using the resistance provided by your feet and legs, stand up along the rope.

Step 6

Repeat steps 3 through 5 until you have gone as high as you need to go.

Step 7

Return to the ground by "walking" your way down the rope hand over hand, using your thighs and feet to provide resistance to control the descent.

About The Author

Richard Thomas has been writing since earning his M.A. in international affairs in 1997, frequently writes about hiking and scuba diving for Trails.com, and also works as the Budget Travel topic manager for eHow and the senior travel editor for Associated Content. His 2009 work on Portuguese hiking and artisanal cheeses has also appeared in print.

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