Photos by c_kryll

make a full twist with the rope, one around the other

take the strands and pull them down and under, keeping the middle 'hole' open

pass the two strands through the hole, keeping each strand from crossing again

Dress the knot, you'll want at least 8" of tail preferably 12"

Alternative knot for tying two ropes together to abseil with. Both ropes should be of similiar size.

I tied the bowline "incorrectly" to the tree and marked it with 3 pieces of tape to show slippage

The truck weighs in at 2750 lbs, unloaded. Vehicle actually weighed at local truck stop.

I used a Bowline on a Bite and flipped it over the trailer hitch. I also used to tape both sides to show rope stretch under load.

"incorrect" bowline under load of full pull from truck

Test pull system under full loading, I used: 4low and drove forward until there was tire slippage.

This picture clearly showes the bowline on a bite under load and how much rope stretch is in the system by the spacing of the tape marks

tying a bowline around an object in the middle of a rope

take a bite of rope and pass it around the object, in this case a tree

make a loop with the standing end of the rope on top

make a bite of rope from the standing end and pass it under and through the previous loop

take the bite you passed around the tree and pass it through the bite of rope in the standing end

pull the bite and the standing end away from each other, the knot should flip into a bowline

finish with a back up knot of somekind, I've shown an overhand in this picture

The line on the right can be used as your safety line while near the edge, create your 'masterpoint' and run the line back toward your second anchor (not shown)

Step 1 of 5 for bowline knot, pass the tail around or through your anchor

make a loop with the standing end on top

Take a bite of rope and pass it under and through the previous loop

Now take the tail end and pass it through the bite

pull both the standing end and the tail away from each other, the knot should 'flip' into a bowline