Page 79 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice
P. 79

Pick up the end. Twist it around so the end is
                                                               under the standing part and next to the beginning
                                                               of the turns. Reach through the loop thus formed
                                                               and pull both ends of the strop up through the loop
                                                               (Figure 3-12B). To draw up, work all the slack out
                                                               of the turns, then pull on each end in turn.
                                                                  To tie the Icicle Hitch with a halyard (Figure
                                                               3-12C), make three to five turns with the end, then
                                                               cross back toward the beginning of the turns. Pass
                                                               the end down behind the hitchee, then over the
                                                               standing part. Pass it up behind the hitchee, then
                                                               down alongside the standing part, under itself.
                                                                  Figure 3-12D shows the finished knot.

                  Figure 3-12B. Form a loop and pull both ends of the   The Axle Hitch
                  strop through the loop.                      Scene: The hold of a ship or the underside of a car
                                                               or some other god-awful, inaccessible spot. It’s hard
                                                               enough just to crawl or climb in there, and you don’t
                                                               have the time, inclination, or free hand to make a
                                                               hitch while you’re there. Fine—just pass a bight
                                                               around and bring it back to a more comfortable
                                                               location (Figure 3-13). Ah, that’s better. Now pass
                                                               the end around a couple of times as shown, add a
                                                               Bowline or Rolling Hitch to secure the end, and hoist
                                                               or tow away.


                                                               Figure 3-13. The Axle Hitch comes to your aid in
                                                               cramped quarters.





                  Figure 3-12C. The Icicle Hitch with halyard (see text).

















                   Figure 3-12D. The finished hitch.


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