A hitch can be defined as a knot made by looping a rope or strap around an object and then back around itself, bringing the end of the rope through the loop. These are some of the simplest of knots, but are probably the most important in there applications. They are useful around a camp site, building of shelters or other structures, or even for securing a boat to a dock. Presented here are some of the more useful hitches that will meet most needs. They are also an integral part of starting and finishing of Lashes.

ADJUSTABLE GRIP 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 a tent rope, for example) and it will continue to grip wherever it is moved. The Tautline Hitch (Midshipman's Hitch) is also a good slide-and-grip knot, but it is not as easy to dress and set as the Adjustable Grip Hitch.

Make a loop by passing the working end around a post, tent peg or grommet.

Wrap the working end two times around the main part of the rope, which might be sufficient for some uses. But for more security and gripping power, make three wraps around the main part of the rope.

This practical slide-and-grip knot can be grasped and shifted easily by hand in either direction but locks up firmly under load. After the load is removed, the knot may be slid along the rope again.

To make it easier to untie, you can "slip" the knot. In other words, instead of passing the end of the rope through the knot when completing the knot, you can push a bight (a doubled rope) through instead. For more on "slipping" a knot, see the Slip Knot.

If you don't tie knots in rope very often then one general-purpose hitch such as the Adjustable Grip Hitch might be the only hitch you'll need for a wide variety of purposes.

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CLOVE HITCH

Clove comes from the word cleave, meaning "to split," and is used to describe the clove hitch because it is split into two parts in the same way that the foot of a sheep or deer is split into two parts.

Form the first half hitch of the clove hitch by taking a bight (loop) around the pole and then across itself. Form the second half hitch of the clove hitch by taking a second bight around the pole and tucking the end of the rope under the rope between the two loops. When pulling tight, the clove hitch should look like an X. The difference between a clove hitch and two half hitches is that a clove hitch is tied around an object and two half hitches are tied around the rope's own standing part.

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An alternative way of tying a clove hitch is to make an overhand loop in the rope. Then make a second overhand loop next to the first. Next, without turning over either loop, place the first loop on top of the second loop. Finally, place the two loops over the end of a pole or around the neck of a bear bag and pull tight.

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PILE HITCH

If the top of a post is available then you can simply wrap a bight of rope (a doubled rope) around the post and throw the loop over the top of the post.

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This hitch is a simple quick method of securing something to a post, tree or other standing piling. If you use this to temporarily secure a boat to a dock, it may slip due to the potential of a varying load (movement due to wave action).

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TAUTLINE HITCH

The taut-line hitch is tied on a line that is tight, or taut. Use it to tighten or loosen a tent guy-line by pushing the hitch up or down.

Pass the line around a tent stake, post or grommet.

Bring the end under and over the standing part and twice through the loop you have formed.

Again bring the rope end under, over, and through a loop, but this time father up the standing part.

Work any slack out of the knot, then slide the hitch to adjust the tension on the line.

Make sure that this hitch is properly dressed, as it will otherwise fail.

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TIMBERLINE HITCH

The timber hitch is the knot to use for dragging a log across the grounds. It is also the knot that starts the diagonal lashing. Here's how to tie a timber hitch:

Pass the end of the rope around the standing part of the rope, then wrap the end around itself three or more times.

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Tighten the hitch against the log.

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TWO HALF HITCHES

Use two half hitches to tie a rope around a post.

Pass the end of the rope around the post. Bring the end over and under the body of the rope (known as the standing part), then back through the loop thus formed. That makes a half hitch. Take the end around the standing part a second time and tie another half hitch.

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Pull it snug.

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