Whether you use a harness to secure yourself while traversing a steep incline, or combine a pully system to allow for an easier abseil, the bottom line is that you’ll need to secure your harness properly.

Most harnesses are compatible with a range of rope systems and can be fastened securely in place with locking or catch mechanisms. A common mistake that many climbers make is that they expect a single rope system to be enough to secure their harness, but relying on one rope isn’t always wise.

That’s where backup ropes come in handy, as they can be secured to the central rope and then directly to the harness via steel clips. The reason that backup ropes are so useful is because of the central rope should ever faulter or knot, you’ll be able to rely on the backup rope to carry your weight.

Phil has been on several climbs where his main rope has caught the jagged edge of a rope and been cut. Fortunately, his backup rope did what it was supposed to do and provided enough stability for him to make his way back down.

When securing your rope system to your harness, make sure that the ends are properly tied and looped through the relevant clips.