Course Prep

How To Do A Munter Mule Overhand With A Prusik

Learn how to tie a Munter mule overhand with a Prusik in this climbing tutorial from Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures.

Video Transcript

Hey, it’s Cory with Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures. I’m an ACMG Apprentice Alpine Guide, and I’m here to teach you some knots today.

We’re going to make a Prusik Munter mule overhand, which is an essential skill that helps us prepare to remove a component from a system.

First, I need to make sure I can safely work hands-free on the component. Different components have different requirements for this. For the ATC-Guide setup in this demonstration, an overhand knot in the brake strand is okay.

Next, I’ll grab my five-metre cordelette and attach a Prusik to the loaded line. I’ll tidy up the Prusik and check that it bites in both directions.

There we go, that passes the test. In this application, having a Y-Knot (Y-Hang) gives us versatility for the next steps in our rescue situation.

Then I want to bring the arrangement right up close to the component I’m removing. Using an HMS carabiner, I’ll tie a Munter hitch and lock the carabiner.

Now I want to remove all the slack and get everything nice and tight before finishing it off with the mule and overhand.

There’s my mule, tied nice and close. When we have the open ends of the cordelette available, we can take a shortcut by pulling it through.

Once that’s done, I’ll crank the Prusik all the way down so the setup is ready for the component to be removed.

In this tutorial, Corey, an ACMG Apprentice Alpine Guide with Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures, demonstrates how to build a Prusik Munter Mule overhand when preparing to remove a component from a climbing system.

The demonstration covers securing the existing component for hands-free work, attaching and checking a Prusik on the loaded rope, and finishing the cordelette with a Munter hitch, mule and overhand backup.

Step 1: Secure the Existing Component

Before starting, make sure the component supporting the load is properly secured for hands-free work.

Different devices and configurations have different requirements. Use the correct hands-free tie-off for the specific device and setup you are working with.

Step 2: Attach a Prusik to the Loaded Rope

Cory uses a five-metre cordelette for this demonstration.

Attach the cordelette to the loaded rope using a Prusik hitch, following the arrangement shown in the video. Dress the hitch neatly so its wraps sit correctly, then check that it grips in both directions.

Step 3: Position the Prusik Arrangement

Bring the Prusik arrangement close to the component you intend to remove, following the setup demonstrated in the video.

Keep the arrangement compact as you prepare to connect the cordelette with the Munter hitch.

Step 4: Tie the Munter Hitch

Form a Munter hitch in the cordelette using an HMS carabiner.

Lock the carabiner, then remove the slack from the cord so the arrangement is snug before completing the tie-off.

Step 5: Complete the Mule and Overhand Backup

Tie the mule close to the Munter hitch, then complete the overhand backup.

In this demonstration, Cory uses the available open ends of the cordelette to help finish the knot. Follow the cord path shown in the video and dress the completed tie-off neatly.

Final Check

Make the final Prusik adjustment shown in the video, then check the following:

Prusik grip: The hitch is neatly dressed and grips the loaded rope in both directions.
Locked carabiner: The HMS carabiner is locked and correctly positioned.
Slack removed: The cordelette arrangement is snug.
Compact tie-off: The mule sits close to the Munter hitch.
Completed backup: The overhand backup is correctly tied and dressed.

Before removing the original component, verify the load transfer, the complete system and its appropriate backups.

Safety Note: This written guide is a companion to the video and is not a substitute for hands-on instruction from a qualified climbing professional.

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