On the road…again!!!
Essays, Stories, Adventures, Dreams
Chronicles of a Footloose Forester
By Dick Pellek

The Fairy Buckle Knot, In Evidence

In high school, the future Footloose Forester often parroted the in-vogue expression, “You can’t fight city hall.” He was content with his clever rejoinder when he heard complaints by other thoughtful classmates about the seeming injustices announced by local and state governments.  Forget for a moment that the expression was created by someone who had an agenda, a personal or institutional one. He abided by the clichéd expression without giving it much thought.  He was responding much like most citizens who react without taking the time to consider the other and opposite viewpoint.  If something seemed egregious, even coming from lofty and erudite elected officials, who was he to challenge their beliefs.  Besides, he was a teenager and not yet personally invested as a voter.

As he grew older and began to see things from different perspectives, the future Footloose Forester learned to appreciate most things from various viewpoints.  Besides, he was certain that one shoe size does not fit all and only one point of view was not universal.  The world would introduce him to the lumpers and the splitters, those who did not usually question general truths, and those who did question whether or not seemingly plain facts are supported by real evidence.

While perusing comments in Facebook about a life-hack skill regarding how to tie (with instructive video) and use a simple knot, the Footloose Forester was awash in the knowledge that so many of the 25+ reader comments showed an indecisive inquisitiveness, or confusion, or tentativeness, or doubt, or outright rejection--all about the same video.  If one considers the video as evidence that tying and untying the Fairy Buckle knot validates the process, and the video shows just what it purports to promote; well, one wonders why there are so many disparate reactions to the validity of the evidence.  Some of the genuine comments by readers of the Facebook video can be documented, just to indicate that quibbling about real evidence can always be expected, in daily life and in courts of law.  Not unexpectedly, the knot in question is also known by other names, such as the movable cover lock knot, or simply as the rope knot.

The reason why the Fairy Buckle knot piqued his attention was because he always wondered how mountaineers retrieved their rappelling rope after descending and reaching level ground.  He had previously done a bit of rappelling with someone else’s rope but knew nothing about how the rope was securely tied or how the mountaineer retrieved the rope.  When you think about it, rappelling is usually a one-way trip—down.  And having that rappelling rope with a reliable knot like the Fairy Buckle may mean your life is at stake.  Also, your rope is going to be important for the next rappel.  On a massive mountain, rappelling may be a matter of life or death.  So, knowing how to securely tie and undo mountaineering knots is fundamental.

 One application of the Fairy Buckle knot

Make no mistake about it, it takes practice in knot tying to have the confidence in knowing how to tie it correctly. Each of the few steps must be done correctly, or there will be consequences.  Given the vapid and unknowing comments about the Fairy Buckle knot that can be viewed on Facebook, knot tying should not be taken for granted.  By the way, dozens of versatile knots are demonstrated on YouTube and elsewhere, but practice is still required to get them right.  Just ask any Boy Scout.