What is a BHK?

The BHK, or "Big Honkin' Knot," is a simple way to make a redundant Masterpoint using two arms of an anchor cord. I have seen the BHK advocated by both the Professional Climbing Instructor's Association and the American Mountain Guides Association in their Top-Rope Instructor and Single Pitch Instructor courses.

































As visible in the images above, there is a vestigial loop that sticks out of the back of the Masterpoint, as a artifact of making the Masterpoint redundant.

Another option for making a redundant Masterpoint (and the option that I use 99% of the time), is to slip 4 feet of 1-inch tubular webbing over the anchor cord and then to fully incorporate the webbing into the Masterpoint. As long as the webbing sticks out of the knot on both sides, the resulting loop is redundant. It is possible to slide the webbing around, placing it wherever it is needed on the anchor cord. I have also found that this protective sheath on the Masterpoint also preserves the anchor cord, enabling it to last longer before wearing out.

The J-Tree $Money$ Anchor

It is currently high season in Joshua Tree, and I have been getting lots of inquiries about the best way to build top-rope anchors in the Park. Anyone who has been to J-Tree before knows that there is a near absence of fixed protection and that gear placements and natural anchors are often located well back from the edge of the cliff.

My basic J-Tree Anchor-Building Tool Kit includes:

• 50-80 feet of 10mm anchor cord
• 1 cordelette (24 feet of 7mm nylon cord, tied into a continuous loop)
• 2 double shoulder-length sewn runners
• 3 miscellaneous carabiners
• 3 non-locking oval carabiners, used for the masterpoint
  

The following diagram shows the basic anchor set-up that I use for most routes. Following the diagram is a series of steps that represent my usual work-flow when approaching top-rope anchor building in J-Tree. This system applies to more than 90% of the top-rope anchors that I build.

1. Create a solid, multi-point anchor that is located a comfortable distance back from the top of the cliff. In many cases, available protection is 10-30 feet back from the top of the route.
2. Clip the end of a 10-11mm anchor cord to your multi-point anchor. (If necessary, it is possible to use a klemheist or rappel device on the anchor cord to protect yourself as you approach the edge of the cliff.)
3. Using a "BHK," tie the masterpoint at the desired point on the anchor cord (and at the desired location at the top of the climbing route).
4. Place one more piece of protection near the cliff's edge. Be thoughtful about the location of this piece, as its main function will be to keep the masterpoint in the location that you have selected. Clip the anchor cord to this piece of protection using a clove hitch. The clove hitch will allow you to micro-adjust the position of the masterpoint (shorten the strand of anchor cord to draw the masterpoint closer; lengthen the strand of anchor cord in order to move the masterpoint father from the piece).