Summary: Show Notes: Episode 121<br> Today on the First 40 Miles, ROPE: The Knot Episode. We’ll be extremely judicious with the knot puns and deliver some solid info on how to start incorporating these mathematical beauties into your outdoor adventures. For today’s SUMMIT Gear Review, a cheap way to get a whole lot of line that’ll keep your tarp from flying away. Next, on the Backpack Hack of the week, a quick way to mark your rope. And we’ll wrap up with a quote from some folks who wanted to tie our country together!<br> Opening<br> <br> * Josh loves knots!<br> * Is it possible to go backpacking without knowing a single knot? Yep<br> * But as you progress, you might find it useful, even fun to learn a few knots. Knots seem useless and intimidating at first…<br> * The more you use it, the greater chance of remembering it.<br> * What are the qualities of a good knot? easily untied, does its job, doesn’t put stress on rope<br> * Every knot has its strengths and weaknesses—and some of that depends on what rope or cordage you’re using for your knot (string, cord, monofilament line, kernmantle rope, or nylon webbing)<br> * For example: The bowline is easy to tie and untie, however it can’t be untied with a load on it, and it doesn’t do well with slippery rope. And if you’re using the bowline to rescue an injured person, you have to use a stopper knot.<br> * Another popular knot that we probably all learned as “the friendship knot” is the square knot, it’s easy to learn however it’s prone to jamming, slipping under a heavy load…<br> * The sheepshank is a knot for shortening a long length of cord, but it really only works when there is constant tension on the two ends…otherwise it gets loose.<br> * For Beginners: <a href="http://scoutingmagazine.org/2016/04/tie-essential-scouting-knots/">http://scoutingmagazine.org/2016/04/tie-essential-scouting-knots/</a><br> * If you’re REALLY interests in knots: Check out The Ashley Book of Knots (the bible of knots) from your local library<br> * Weird knots…like the #1237 Girl Scout Hitch which involves rolling your stocking down, putting your finger under the roll, twisting several times and tucking the loop into the stocking.<br> * Another great knot book: Knots, Splices and Ropework by A Hyatt Verrill (who was the editor of Popular Science Department of American Boy Magazine), is free on Gutenberg.org <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13510/13510-h/13510-h.htm">http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13510/13510-h/13510-h.htm</a>,<br> * <a href="http://www.animatedknots.com/">http://www.animatedknots.com/</a> Which is awesome if you really can’t figure out knots by looking at a book…this provides step by step animation<br> * Knot tools or knot avoiders made by companies: Dutch Ware, LoopAlien, NiteIze<br> <br> Top 5 Reasons You Should Learn a Few Knots<br> Knots are great for securing your gear<br> <br> * Securing a tarp to some trees is probably the most common use of knots for backpackers. Sometimes we use the slip knot on one end and the tautline hitch on the other end, other times we use the truckers hitch to stake the ends down to the ground.<br> * Knots can secure your food when you hang it from a tree to protect it from animals<br> * One of the hammocks from Hennessy Hammocks that we borrowed from Jonathan at the <a href="http://www.hyohpodcast.com/">Hang Your Own Hang Podcast</a> relied on the double figure 8 knot to secure the hammock to the tree! We also used the Prusik hitch to attach out tarp to the ridge line over our hammock, so that the line or rope wouldn’t dig into the tarp and saw it in half<br> * Fishermen know the importance of a good knot. Without knots, fishermen wouldn’t catch anything…<br> <br> Knots are great for repairing gear or fixing a problem<br> <br> * With some rope and a secure knot, you can improvise a strap for a pack…<br> * It can even secure your pants and keep them from falling do...
