To tie yourself into a climbing harness, you’ll need to know how to create two knots. But they don’t just look pretty; they’re your lifelines. So you’re learning how to climb. Time to learn the basics ...

There’s an old saying: “If you don’t know a knot, tie a lot.” It’s funny advice, really. Outdoor sports enthusiasts should know lots of knots, but we should know how to tie them correctly every time.

Knots: they attach us to ropes, connect slings to trees, substitute for dropped gear, secure tents, create belay anchors. Like the Force, knots surround us, protect us, and bind our galaxy together.