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Re: Re: Re: Re: french prusik

canopytree@aol.com
Thu, 16 Oct 1997 21:31:52 -0500

When I was in SLC for the ISA conference I was introduced to this newly adapted hitch. Rip Tompkins had a mountaineering book that showed pictures of the hitch. Some American started calling it a French Prusik because the French apparently were the first to adapt the knot to arbo work and Mashon Tres is harder to say than French Prusik. Do some bookwork and you will find that the French Prusik is something different and the Selvagee is also different.

We are getting sloppy with our language. There are many knots that have several names but from what I have found those names are not used interchangeably with other knots.
For example, a Munter hitch is also called an Italian hitch or Sliding Ring Hitch. These names all descrfibe the same knot. But a Prusik is not a Klemheist or a Kreuzklem or a Penberthy knot. All four of these names are different knots that have the same function.

When I was referred to Chapman's Guide by Brian Toss I found that the Selvagee is tied by spiraling the runner around the rope, alternating the overlap, right to left and front to back. The Mashon Tres starts with several wraps in a spiral fashion on the rope before the spiral braid is started.

"How did the French get all the credit?" you ask. That sounds like a very "Us vrs. Them" or "US vrs. the World" attitude. All climbing innovations do not originate in the US. The Europeans have come up with some great ideas I think. I'm looking forward the Climbing Championship where we have the first competitor from Africa, South America, or Asia.

Strong limbs and snug ropes!

Tom