The black rope with the prusik hitch on it wraps around the tree with the prusik hitch on the tag end that is hanging down. I leave the carabiner attached at all times to the actual harness strap that hangs from between your shoulder blades and then once in the tree I quickly snap it on the prusik hitch that is attached to the tag end in the tree. Then I will adjust height on the prusik hitch so that I have enough room to bend, move around, etc......without having enough slack to leave myself hanging.........