What is the Alpine Butterfly Bend used for?

Joining two ropes with a bend that opens easily after loading; Joining ropes in rescue and mountaineering systems expecting heavy tension; Joining cables that will stay under tension for long periods and later need to be separated; Joining equal-diameter ropes for traverses and light zip lines; Creating a join point that resists sideways pulls.

How do you tie the Alpine Butterfly Bend?

The Alpine Butterfly Bend borrows the structure of the well-established alpine butterfly loop to join two ropes end to end. The result is a strong bend, stable under load from three directions and — its biggest advantage — easy to untie even after heavy loading. Follow the illustrated step-by-step, with a photo for every stage, on Desbravai.

Is the Alpine Butterfly Bend hard to tie?

The Alpine Butterfly Bend is rated medium, in the Bends category and is taught with a photo at every stage on Desbravai.

What precautions apply when using the Alpine Butterfly Bend?

Check the structure is correct before loading it — the butterfly is sensitive to being tied wrong; Leave adequate tails on the ends; Like every bend used for life-safety loads, it requires a visual check before use.

Alpine Butterfly Bend

Q: What other names does the Alpine Butterfly Bend have?

It is also known as Alpine Butterfly Bend, Butterfly Bend, Nudo de mariposa alpina (unión), As de mariposa (unión), Nó borboleta alpina de união, Noeud papillon alpin.

Joins two ropes using the alpine butterfly's structure — a strong bend that's easy to untie after loading

Also called: Alpine Butterfly Bend, Butterfly Bend, Nudo de mariposa alpina (unión), As de mariposa (unión), Nó borboleta alpina de união, Noeud papillon alpin

What it is for

Joining two ropes with a bend that opens easily after loading
Joining ropes in rescue and mountaineering systems expecting heavy tension
Joining cables that will stay under tension for long periods and later need to be separated
Joining equal-diameter ropes for traverses and light zip lines
Creating a join point that resists sideways pulls