Whole bunch of knot-sense

Common image via GIS

Confession time. Until I started climbing, my knowledge of knots was terrible.

I could do a passable square knot and an overhand knot (the generic knot most of us know)…….and could tie my laces.

My brief career in Boy Scouts left me with vague memories of a bowline and a taut-line hitch.  But I could not reproduce them if I tried.

I muddled along, set up my shelters and/or tied down gear with some less-than-stellar knot tying.

So, when I started climbing, knowing how to tie certain knots was not just useful, but mandatory. If I quite literally did not want to fall to my death, I had to make damn sure the knots were tied correctly.

After a tutelage by some friends in a garage one night (I supplied the beer), I mastered the figure-eight, the clove hitch, a slip knot and a passable Prusik knot.   Since I am typing this article, their insistence on knowing the knots was probably a good thing.

PCO of Mark T.  someone thanks you, too.

The climbing lead me to re-discovering the knots our Assistant Scout Master Mr. Johnson taught us but had forgotten.

As I was reading the classic The Complete Walker by Colin Fletcher,  I noticed his section on knots. It was short, to the point and not a lot of info. Just the basics.

And I think that is the crux of what was written 30+ years ago. For non-technical pursuits, trying to memorize the knots can seem to be intimidating. Pages upon web pages and YouTube videos of all the different knots. (What the hell’s a Celtic button knot???) 

But knowing a few basic knots can be enough to set up a shelter, tie down some gear and perform quick field repair with cordage.

These knots are not for technical pursuits such as climbing. I’ll leave that to the more qualified others.  These are just some simple knots for hiking, camping and backpacking that also happen to have some crossover use in “real life”.

There are plenty of web pages and videos describing how to perform the knots, so you will not see my banged up hands tying the knots for you. Why re-invent the wheel???

So, here are some knots I find useful.  I am sure there are better and/or more efficient ones. But these work well in keeping it simple while being functional.

I will not be describing the Gordian knot…  ( From Dictionary.com )

• Overhand knot:  The basic knot everyone knows. Use it for a stop knot at the end of the rope in conjunction with another knot.

• Square knot: Another basic knot.  Useful for tying off bags or similar bundles quickly.

• Bowline:  Superior to the two knots above. Good for securing one end of a rope to something that is permanent (such as a grommet). A very good knot to know. This is the knot with the famous “the bunny goes out of the whole and around the tree…”  mnemonic.

• Girth hitch: Good for adding a quick and dirty zipper pull to gear among other uses such as hanging up something from a line.

• Slip knot: A good basic knot that comes undone quickly. Useful for setting up a shelter or when tying down something in conjunction with a trucker’s hitch (see below)

• Figure Eight: For climbing, it is tied as following-through knot. For camping/backpacking uses, it is often tied “on a bight”. A very strong knot. Good for attaching a ‘biner to the bight or using the knot as the pulley in a trucker’s hitch when securing heavier loads.

• Clove Hitch: I use this knot only for climbing personally. I know some hammock campers like it for attaching the hammock to the ‘biners to be anchored in securely…which is what I use it for essentially while climbing.

• Midshipman’s Hitch (often mistaken for the Tautline Hitch): TIL that the knot I knew as the Tautline hitch is actually the Midshipman’s Hitch.  I am keeping the common name, though, as many people know this knot by its apparently incorrect name, and is actually more secure,  vs the “real” Tautline Hitch.  In any case, this knot is a good quick and dirty one for tightening guy lines and/or securing light loads. Esp when a lot of adjusting needs to be done. Depending on what I am doing, I may use the Trucker’s Hitch.

• Trucker’s Hitch: Another useful hitch.  A little more involved than the Taut Line hitch, but very good for really ratcheting down tension or securing loads. Essentially two knots in one. Has a pulley system. Commonly tied with a figure eight on a bight or with a slip knot.  Not quite as easily adjustable as the Tautline Hitch or a Midshipan’s Hitch, but it is better for tension and, again, heavier loads.

So there you go. Some good basic knots for all kinds of purposes. There are more and perhaps better knots. For my hiking, backpacking and camping needs, I find these knots work well however.

Still need some help remember knots? This little video may help… 🙂