9-6. Anchors-Rock Climbing Ranger Style

     Anchors are the base, for all installations and roped mountaineering techniques. Anchors must be strong enough to support the entire weight of the load or impact placed upon them. Several  pieces of artificial or natural protection may be incorporated together to make one multi point anchor.

     Anchors are classified as Artificial or Natural.
a. Artificial Anchors. Artificial anchors are constructed using all manmade material. The most common anchors incorporate traditional or fixed protection (Figure 9-3).
b. Natural Anchors. Natural anchors are usually very strong and often simple to construct using minimal equipment.      Trees, shrubs and boulders are the most common. All natural anchors simply require a method of attaching a rope. Regardless of the type of natural anchor used, the anchor
must be strong enough to support the entire weight of the load.
(1) Trees. These are probably the most widely used of all anchors. In rocky terrain, trees usually have a very shallow root system. Check this by pushing or tugging on the tree to see how well it is rooted. Anchor as low as possible to prevent excess leverage on the tree. Use padding on soft, sap producing trees to keep sap off ropes and slings.
(2) Rock Projections and Boulders. You can use these, but they must be heavy enough, and have a stable enough base to support the load.
(3) Bushes and Shrubs. If no other suitable anchor is available, route a rope around the bases of several bushes. As with trees, place the anchoring rope as low as possible to reduce leverage on the anchor. Make sure all vegetation is healthy and well rooted to the ground.
(4) Tensionless Anchor. This is used to anchor rope on high load installations such as bridging. The wraps of the rope around the anchor (Figure 9-4) absorb the tension of the installation and keep the tension off the knot and carabiner. Tie it with a minimum of four wraps around the anchor; however a smooth anchor (small tree, pipe, or rail) may
require several more wraps. Wrap the rope from top to bottom. Place a  fixed loop into the end of the rope and attached loosely back onto the rope with a carabiner.

Figure 9-3

Figure 9-4

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