Page 54 - Outward Bound Ropes, Knots, and Hitches
P. 54

Camping Knots: Moving Hitches






                     Timber	Hitch


                     teMpORARILy AttACHeS A ROpe
                     tO An OBjeCt fOR dRAggIng,
                     RAISIng, OR LOweRIng
                     A  fundamental  knot,  the  timber  hitch  serves  as  a
                     short-term  noose,  quickly  tying  a  rope  to  a  heavy
                     object that needs to be moved by pulling, dragging,
                     lifting, or lowering. It is very secure under tension and
                     never jams. But be careful: Those new to knots often
                     tie this one incorrectly, and then the knot fails. The
                     timber hitch can also loosen and fail if there is too
                     much slack in the rope or erratic pulling on the rope.




                             Timber Hitch: Step 1              Timber Hitch: Step 2


















                       Pass the working end around       Twist the working end around
                       the object to be moved and        itself (not around the standing
                       then behind and around the        part) at least three times. The
                       standing part.                    number of twists can be in-
                                                         creased to boost the grip of the
                                                         knot, depending on the size and
                                                         weight of the object. Tighten by
                                                         pulling on the standing part.


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            OB_RopesKnots_RevFinal_CS4.indd   39                                       2/9/12   3:10 PM
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