Highlining & goat knot info thread...

[TOU]

Hey All,

Jut wanted to relocate some of the old info on highlining here so it wouldn't get lost and could benefit others here. Please feel free to add your secrets, tips & pictures.

Well, I don't use a prussic knot. I use a simple ring. Loop the rope through the ring then back over the outside of the ring to lock it in place. It is easy to move if you need to and there are no knots or extra pieces of rope or caribiners to loose.

Just long enough for them to lay down. Stand your goat directly under the high line next to the tie line hanging down. I usually start with the end about at mid neck. Especially young ones will pull and tug a bit and stretch the line a bit. You will usually have to shorten. Practice at home and stay near. I know when mine were young they would get bored easily and try and jump up to reach the high line. Legs would get tangled over the tie line on the way back down so untangling was needed. I also like using the nice big soft round rope leads for the tie line. If they do get tangled the rope doesn't bite as much. A pocket knife is always a good tool to have. I remember one campout where a goat got tangled so bad and we all camp running when the owner yelled for help and someone cut the rope fast. Little scary but good fast thinking and being prepared saved the day. Like a good first aid kit. Mine has so much I wonder why I have it since I've never used most of it....but when you need it....it's invaluable!

______________
Rachel Suomela

www.PacificPackGoats.com
"Life is Goat! Pack at it!"

practical knots and rope work

I posted a video a few days ago on my high-lining technique. Here's a more specific video on some knots to use, how to tie them, and practical applications for each. Some of you probably already know/use some of these, but hopefully some of you can learn something useful from this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCojOwz6c...e=youtu.be

_______________________________________________________

Another trick that I didn't show is how to tie a double bowline in the bight of your rope. It's handy when you need a weight-bearing loop that can be tied/untied in the bight and easily untied after being loaded. Maybe I'll make another video with that one and the proper way to adjust and put on a rope halter. For all you land lubbers, the bight is the middle of a rope, line, or cable (excludes the ends). A knot that can be tied in the bight means that you don't need to use either "bitter end" to tie it. At least that's the scuttlebutt...
"The Devil himself would make a good sailor if he could only tie a bowline and look aloft."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVF-h0wW...r_embedded
_________________________________

Here's a quick video on the double bowline. This is a good knot to use when you want a loop tied in the bight that's easy to untie. A good application would be the loop that you clip the carabiner into when rigging a high line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyaQFXzao...e=youtu.be

I like the double bowline on a bight for loops. FWIW, the bowline is the most useful knot in my opinion for many, many applications. If there is ONE knot to know, this is the one.

For highlining, I use a 3/8 rope with simple overhand knots spaced along. At the end of each goat's lead, I use a trigger snap like this one from TSC. I simply clip each goat where I want, and space them where they can just about touch noses. With their leads, this gives them about a 10' or so radius. If you add space between the knots, the goat can pull the clip back and forth between knots. This is what I've been using to move them around my pasture, outside of their fenced area, to eat on some fresh grass and weeds. I just "highline" them between T-posts that I move after they graze an area down.(Before anyone freaks, I don't leave them like that unattended unless I'm close by)
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/na..._vc=-10005

The nylon strap would work fine. I've never used it for anything than tying loads but I've found knots are more difficult to untie. Also, nylon stretches...badly. Using polyester straps eliminates that stretch. This is a trick the hammock campers know. You hook your hammock up with nylon and soon you'll be sagging low!

As far as "strangling trees" I cannot fathom anything that was done on the video as causing any damage to trees.

Here is anther thread with some good info and discussion.

http://www.packgoatcentral.com/forums/sh...25#pid4925

[nebs]

Thanks! I hadn't seen this before. Great info!