10 Things You Didn't Know About Knots

How much do you really know about knots? No, not the kind that entangle women's hair, but those that are essential for us to climb. Our friends at climbing.com have provided us with facts we never knew about knots. Begin below or read full article here.

"10 Things You Didn't Know About Knots"

BY: Jeff Achey

Knots: they attach us to ropes, connect slings to trees, substitute for dropped gear, secure tents, create belay anchors. Like the Force, knots surround us, protect us, and bind our galaxy together. Even a sport climber whose shoes close with Velcro knows a few knots. But here are a few things you might not know.

1 The word “knot” is related to knob, knoll, and knuckle, but not to knowledge. It is knoten in German, knot in Dutch, knut in Swedish, nudo in Spanish, and noeudin French.

2 The Inca’s only “written” language was a system of knots tied into necklace-like “documents” called quipus, or “talking knots.” Some scholars think quipus recorded only numbers, but others believe that they also told stories and encoded historical events. A select class of Incas apparently interpreted the knots, and the code has never been definitively deciphered. Knots were also used for record keeping in ancient China, and the Chinese Book of Changes, almost 2,500 years old, associates knots with contract and agreement.

3 The “bitter end” of a rope refers to its working end, intended to be tied off to a bitt, a cleat-like fastening point found on docks. If a longshoreman bobbled a thrown line or missed his tie-in move as a ship came in to dock, he might be left “hanging on to the bitter end” as the untethered ship drifted perilously past its mark.

Read full article here.

Climbing Prep Done Right

Before you climb you must take necessary measures to prepare. The warm up is often over looked and rushed through. Thanks to our friends at Climbing Magazine they have provided a few stretches to work out the kinks and strengthen the body. Take a few extra minutes to read and start incorporating into your daily routine! Read full article here or preview below. 

Stretch and Strengthen

By Amanda Fox

Stretching is an often-overlooked aspect of the pre-climbing routine. The following stretches pull double duty; not only do they lengthen your muscles, tendons, and ligaments for the approach—therefore preventing injury—but they also provide more mobility and flexibility on the wall so you can climb smarter and stronger. Pick and choose from the following stretches, or do all of them at the trailhead or before you leave basecamp. Hold each posture for at least 10 slow breaths.

Frog pose
Open your hips to reduce strain on the knee joints

Start on all fours. Bring your forearms to the floor and clasp your hands. Widen your knees one at a time, as far apart as possible; knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Flex your feet and keep your tailbone slightly tucked.

Supine Spinal Twist

Relax and realign the spine

Lay on your back with your arms straight out to the sides, palms up and forming a T, legs extended. Bend your left knee into your chest, and lower the knee to the floor on right side of your body; try to keep both shoulders on the ground. Turn your head to the left to deepen the stretch. Hold, and repeat on the other side.

Read full article here.

"Forty-six fascinating ideas that raised 1/2 billion dollars"

The producers of CNBC’s “Power Pitch” posted a year-in-review video featuring highlights of the last year on Thursday, December 26th. View the video here!

"Forty-six fascinating ideas that raised 1/2 billion dollars"

By: Erin Barry

This year, Power Pitch featured 53 founders from 46 start-ups—all with the courage to step up and deliver a 60-second pitch to experts and potential investors. They faced tough questions (and judgments) from some of the biggest names in venture capital, social media, fashion and food.

We’ve had a blast producing this series and look forward to featuring more in 2014.Thanks to all the founders and panelists for participating, and to all our viewers! And a huge thanks to all of our startups for sharing their big ideas:

You can view the entire highlight video here.