82 Cliff Climbing 
sewn with bolt-ropes, 3 in. broad and about 38 in. in length, which 
is joined at each end to a second one slightly wider and about 44 in. 
long. At the ends are a couple of thimbles eyeleted. This belt 
is adjusted to the body in a manner exactly similar to the bowline 
on a bight, the longer canvas loop being passed under one thigh 
and the shorter one round the body under the armpits. The rope 
is then rove through the two eyelets for about 4 ft., the eyelets 
being brought together and secured with two half-hitches. The 
end of the rope is then passed over one shoulder and under the 
other and secured again to the eyelets, so as to prevent the sling 
slipping down. In the preceding picture the method of adjusting 
the canvas sling to the body and of attaching the rope is shown. 
Among very big cliffs where there is a chance of a rope jambing 
or fraying against any sharp edge I would strongly recommend the 
employment of 24 in. rope as a lowering line and of 13 in. asa life- 
line. The first is a cumbersome affair to carry, but it is as well to 
have in big places tackle which is beyond suspicion. 
A most difficult problem at times is how to carry sufficient length 
of rope to ensure no join being necessary. Up to 1906 I usually 
carried three lengths of 100 ft. apiece and on an emergency joined 
them up. If the latter process be effected by means of a long-splice, 
well and good. But the exigencies of time and place as often as 
not prohibit this, and recourse must be had to bending the ends 
together. Under normal conditions this may be all right but in 
going over a strange cliff, it is impossible to know what difficulties 
may be encountered and it is most unwise to take unnecessary 
risks. When a long piece of rope is required, say 200 or 300 ft. or 
more, the best way is to have it in one piece made up into separate 
coils of 100 ft. each, with 6 to 12 ft. drift between each coil. Each 
man of the lowering party can then sling 1o0o ft. round the body 
and follow in Indian file. In the picture a lowering party are shown 
thus carrying 50 fathoms (300 ft.) of 23 in. rope. 
