Instructor Tutorial: How to Tie a Figure-Eight Follow-Through Knot
In this tutorial, Corey, an ACMG Apprentice Alpine Guide with Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures, demonstrates how to tie a figure-eight follow-through to connect a climbing rope to a harness.
He covers measuring the starting length of rope, threading the harness tie-in points, retracing the figure-eight and inspecting the finished knot. His final checks focus on neat parallel strands, sufficient tail length and a compact tie-in loop.
Step 1: Measure Your Starting Length
Begin by measuring enough rope to tie the initial figure-eight, pass through the harness and complete the follow-through.
Corey measures from his extended hand to his sternum. This is his reference for the starting length. Allow enough rope to finish with the tail length demonstrated in the video and required for your equipment and instruction.
Step 2: Tie the Initial Figure-Eight
Form a single figure-eight knot in the rope, following Corey’s demonstration.
Keep the knot loose enough to retrace, with sufficient rope remaining at the end to pass through your harness and follow the entire knot back through.
Step 3: Thread the Harness Tie-In Points
Pass the rope through the designated tie-in point or points specified by your harness manufacturer.
On the harness shown in the video, Corey threads the rope through the lower and upper tie-in points, working from the bottom upwards. Bring the initial figure-eight close to the harness so the finished tie-in loop stays compact.
Step 4: Follow the Rope Back Through the Knot
Use the rope end to retrace the original figure-eight, following its path through every turn.
Corey begins on the outside of the original strand and finishes on the inside. Keep the two strands neatly alongside each other as you work, and check that the entire figure-eight has been retraced.
Step 5: Dress and Tighten the Knot
Arrange the strands neatly before tightening. This is called dressing the knot.
Remove unintended twists and keep the paired strands running alongside each other. Tighten the completed knot, then check its shape, the remaining tail and the size of the loop between the knot and your harness.
Final Check
Use Corey’s inspection cues alongside the requirements for your equipment:
- Harness connection: The rope passes through the correct tie-in point or points for your harness.
- Complete follow-through: The original figure-eight has been fully retraced and tightened.
- Parallel strands: You can identify five pairs of parallel strands, with no unintended twists.
- Tail length: Corey checks for two hands’ worth of tail after tightening, using the hand measurement shown in the video.
- Tie-in loop size: The eye of the knot is compact enough that Corey cannot fit a closed fist through it.
Safety Note
Use this tutorial alongside hands-on instruction from a qualified climbing professional. Follow your harness and rope manufacturer’s instructions, and have your instructor confirm the finished knot, tail length and tie-in loop size.
Before climbing, complete a partner check covering the harness, tie-in knot, belay setup and rope end. Take the time to confirm that the knot is complete and fully tightened.