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Valdotain Tresse

Valdotain Tresse

The Valdotain Tresse, Vallard Tresse or VT knot is mainly used by climbers to ascend and descend ropes by friction. It was originally used in Alpine rescue from where it graduated into a popular arborist knot. This is not for beginners. It is very important to tie it correctly in critical situations since its failure may cause death, injury or severe damage to property. A specialty of the VT Prusik is that it can be released under load.

How to Tie a Valdotain Tresse

This knot can be made with a rope having 2 sewn eyes (also known as a spliced eye, split tail friction cord) or hand-tied loops (procedure shown below) at its ends. It is the blue rope in the below diagram. The red thicker one is the main climbing rope.

How to Tie a Valdotain Tresse

Tips

  1. The loop knots made at the two ends of the lanyard by the steps 1-3 are poacher’s knots.
  2. You might have to test the grip effectiveness of the knot with different lengths, diameters and materials of friction cords. For example, one that is too long cannot grip instantly when it is pulled down.
  3. Working it with a micro pulley tends the slack as the tail of the climbing rope is pulled.

Advantages

Disadvantages

It is easier to slide and has a lesser tendency to lock up than the Distel hitch, but lack of riding turns makes it more prone to slippageIts release can be pretty challenging. Sometimes, it may not release at all while at other times it may do it too fast

Uses

    1. To attach a carabiner to a climbing rope.
    2. In caving, rock climbing.
    3. In technical rescue and canyoneering.
    4. As a rappel device.
    5. For slacklining.

How to Tie a Valdotain Tresse Step by Step

  1. Wrap each tag end twice around a rope bight
  2. Pass it through the 2 loops
  3. Pull both the ends to tighten
  4. Wrap the right looped end 4 times around the red rope
  5. Pass it down from the back side
  6. Wrap it once more around the red rope
  7. Wrap the left end around the red rope
  8. Pass the ends through a carabiner
  9. Close it to finish the knot

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