When climbing you are depending on the friction between the tautline hitch and the climbing line to support your weight, This friction is your best friend or your worst enemy if it is not well managed.
Never let ropes under tension scrub together or move relative to one another. Enough heat to melt the fibers can build up and cause the rope to fail as quickly as is it had been cut with a knife.
These are used as the "climbers knot" to tie in. They must be kept tight to be effective. Extreme care must be taken to minimize heat build up in these hitches caused by fast descents. It is likely that a "bail out" descent will create sufficient heat to melt completely throught the climbing line.
The Figure "8" is tied in the ends of lines to stop them from running out through blocks or other knots. It is easily untied even when cinched down tight and should be tied at least four inches from the bitter end so it has room to slip.
The munter Hitch is used with a carabiner to control a descent and is considered more effective than a Figure "8" descender. It is easy to tie and is known as a running knot. It should not be used to rappel because heat build up can damage the rope.
Normally used to tie two ropes of equal size together. Most commonly used be arborist to create a Prusik Loop.
