Page 52 - Outward Bound Ropes, Knots, and Hitches

Camping Knots: Moving Hitches

the tautline hitch behind. It does find use, however, in
securing gear to a rope vertically suspended, such as a
rope hanging from the limb of a tree.
This knot will loosen if slack develops in the rope and,
therefore, should be checked often. Sailors call this knot
the rolling hitch; it’s useful for attaching ropes to spars
(the stout poles that support the rigging). It is far more
secure than the clove hitch.

Tautline H XXitch: Step 3 Tautline Hitch: Step 4
XX

XXX Take the working end through
Bring the working end down
XXX
and underneath the standing the second loop and tighten by
part outside the loop, as shown pulling on the standing part.
in the photograph, forming a The knot can now be pushed up
second loop. the standing part, taking slack
out of the rope. Under pressure,
the knot grips and holds against
the standing part, maintaining
tension in the rope.

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