Which knot is most commonly used to tie the rope to a climber’s harness for a secure connection?

• A. Figure-eight follow-through
• B. Reef knot
• C. Clove hitch
• D. Bowline

Answer: (A)

When tying into a climber’s harness, you want a knot that creates a secure, fixed connection that stays put under load and is easy to inspect and untie after use. The figure-eight follow-through fits this perfectly: you form a figure-eight in the rope, run it through the harness’s tie-in points, and then follow the rope back through the figure-eight. This setup creates a strong, single load path into the harness, resists slipping under dynamic loads, and presents a clear, easily checked knot that you can verify visually. It also tends to untie more readily after the rope is unloaded. The other knots aren’t as well suited for harness tie-ins: the reef knot can slip or capsize under uneven loading; a clove hitch can slip if the rope shifts; the bowline can loosen with movement unless heavily backed up or treated, making it less reliable for a harness connection.