5/8 in KM III Rope Lanyard

This 5/8 in KM III lanyard is a work-positioning lanyard made from PMI's KM III static kernmantle rope. The heavier diameter is easy to grip and tends to wear well against bark.

How a 5/8 in lanyard works in the tree

A lanyard holds you in position while you cut, so you can lean back and free both hands. A 5/8 in line is thicker than most modern lanyards, which makes it easy to grab and gives a lot of material to wear before it needs replacing. Climbers who spend a lot of time on spurs on removals often like a heavier lanyard for its durability.

The trade-off is weight and how it works with adjusters and hitches. Make sure your adjuster or hitch cord is rated and suited to 5/8 in rope.

Static kernmantle construction gives very little stretch, so the lanyard holds you in position firmly without bouncing as you lean back. That firm feel is one reason some climbers prefer it for spur work on removals. Keep in mind that low stretch also means little shock absorption, so avoid slack in the lanyard and never put yourself in a position to fall onto it.

Inspection and safe use

Check the cover for cuts, glazing and core shots, and inspect terminations and connectors every climb. A lanyard is never a cut-resistant device, so keep the saw away from it and consider a wire-core flipline for heavy saw work around the lanyard. Compare options in rope lanyards.

Life-support gear must meet the applicable standard, be used per the manufacturer's instructions and ANSI Z133, be inspected before every climb, and be used only by trained climbers.