Hitches
A "hitch" is a knot which secures a rope to a solid object such as a post or a ring. If you do not tie knots often, then just learn one or two strong hitches which you can remember easily, like for example the Adjustable Grip Hitch or the Bowline.
Adjustable Grip Hitch
Remaining Breaking Strength = 80%
This is a quick, easy, secure, and versatile hitch. This knot is about as easy to tie as most hitches, but it grips better than many hitches. The beauty of this knot is that you can slide it up or down the rope in order to tighten or loosen a load on a truck or to tighten a tent rope. It will continue to grip solidly wherever it is moved to. This knot can be grasped and shifted easily by hand in either direction but locks up firmly under load.
How to Tie the Adjustable Grip Hitch
Clove Hitch
Remaining Breaking Strength = 75%
The Clove Hitch is a popular Hitch that is easy to tie, and is one of the most frequently used knots and is essential for both summer and winter climbing. Its main use is as an anchor knot. With a bit of practice this knot can be done with one hand and on one HMS carabiner. Do not make two or more clove hitches onto one carabiner. The correct way to clip the knot is with the load rope nearest to the back bar of the carabiner, along its strongest axis.
How to Tie the Clove Hitch
Italian Hitch
The Italian Hitch is an extremely useful knot as it can be used for belaying, abseiling and rigging. For general climbing use, its main purpose is as a back-up should a belay-plate be dropped from a distance.
As a belaying knot, this hitch allows a huge flexibility in system design and operation. The knot is controlled from in front, as opposed to a belay plate which must be controlled from behind. Maximum breaking is obtained by having the ropes parallel on the load side of the carabiner.
How to Tie the Italian Hitch
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