Knots are an important part of outdoor recreation and safety. Here are a couple of knots and their uses which may be helpful to know for a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Definitions

Working End: The end of the rope that is actively used to tie the knot and is typically the shorter end 

Standing End: The end of the rope that is not the working end and the knot is sometimes tied around. 

Dressed Knot: Adjusting individual rope strands into their proper place within the knot and getting rid of any unnecessary twists or slack. Makes it easier to inspect knot and improves knot strength. 

Difference between a “bight” and a “loop”:

Image of bight and a loop

Bight: Rope bend where rope does not cross over itself

Loop: Bend of rope where the rope strand crosses over itself

 

Knots and Hitches

Figure 8: Good stopper knot (prevents rope sliding through device) basis for a figure-8-follow through used for tying into a climbing rope.

 

Create a bight of rope holding the standing and working ends in different hands.

Create a loop by crossing the working end over the standing end.

Bring the working end around the back side of the standing end.

Pull the working end back through the previously made look entering through the side facing you.

European Death Knot: Fast way to join two ropes together. Easy to tie and rarely gets stuck, must be dressed well in order to work.

 

In hand, hold the working ends of both ropes

Form a loop using both working ends of the rope, crossing over both standing ends

Pull both working ends through the back of the loop formed

Pull on both the working and standing ends of the rope to cinch down and tighten. Dress accordingly

Bowline: Forms a secure loop in the end piece of rope. Used mainly for sailing for fastening to a mooring or tying rope around a natural anchor (ie. tree or rock). Does not slip or bind under rope strain: cannot be tied or untied when there is a load on the standing end. Requires a long tail end or stopper knot to prevent slippage. 

 

Hold working end in one hand and standing end in another

Create loop of rope leaving plenty of working end to use for next steps

Feed working end under and through the loop. Pull at least 6 inches of the working end through

Bring working end behind and around the standing end that leads to the rope not connected to the knot

Feed working end back through the same loop, this time tracing back in the opposite direction

Pull standing end to cinch down the loop portion of the knot then on the working end to cinch the other strands. Pro tip: Leave extra length on the standing end to prevent the not from slipping back through itself.

Barrel Knot: Stopper knot. Way to close a belay system and prevent rope from accidentally being fed through belay device. Friction knot and will self tighten

 

Hold rope in hand with the working end in the direction of your thumb

Bring the working end around your hand and over your palm creating an "X"

Bring the working end around your hand once more following the same path as the second loop.

Feed the working end under both strands of the rope looped around your hand.

Pull on the working and standing ends of the rope to cinch down the knot. Dress as needed.

Fisherman’s Knot: Way to join two lines of the same thickness together. Require long tail ends so that knot does not slip.

 

lay out ends of your rope parallel to each other

After overlapping the two ends start wrapping one end around the second rope.

Wrap around for two full wraps, similar to a barrel knot.

Make sure to cross second wrap back over the first wrap

Pull working end through the two loops you made around the second rope.

Pull through and tighten. Look over and dress so that you have a barrel knot encircling a rope.

Wrap second strand around first strand of rope. Performing the same action you just did.

Wrap two full times around the first strand.

Ensure that loops are crossed to imitate the barrel knot.

Pull end through the two loops.

Tighten and ensure that knot matches barrel knot standard.

Pull on either end of rope to allow the two barrel knots to meet. Successfully connecting the two ropes together. Ensure that there is enough tail.

Figure 8 Bend: Safe and easy way to join two ropes of same thickness together. 

 

Make a figure-8 knot at the end of one rope. Leave enough tail (at least 3 inches).

Feed other rope through figur-8, starting at the bottom where the end of the figure-8 knot comes out of

Trace figure-8 with other rope

Keep tracing, end should exit opposite of the initial knot's end

Pull through and tighten, dress properly. Check that there are five pairs within the knot.

Clove Hitch: Way to attach rope or cord to pole, ring, or carabiner. Can be weighted and does not slip, used as a temporary hold. Way to attach yourself into a rope system or to secure rope without untying. 

 

Find your rope and object that you will be attaching it to.

Create a 'q' and a 'p' in the rope

Slide the 'p' behind the 'q'

Put the two resulting loops onto your carabiner or object.

Tug down, rope and clove should not shift

Munter Hitch: Used to rappel and belay without a device. Adjustable and acts as friction device to help control descent. 

 

Lay out carabiner and rope

create a 'q' and a 'p'

Take the 'q' and 'p'

Fold them towards each other as if you were closing a book

Put carabiner through the resulting two loops

If you tug on rope, it should slide.

Trucker’s Hitch: Way to secure loads or tarps, adjustable. Can be used to secure boats to a trailer, tie down tarps and tents etc.

 

Find area to attach

create a loop within the line

Close up of the loop

Pull rope through the loop to create a slipknot

Close up of slipknot

Pull end of rope through loop created by the slipknot

Cross over end of rope back on itself

Cross end of rope over rope pulled through

Create another slipknot with the rope you pulled through

Close up

Finished product

Taut-Line Hitch: Mainly used for securing tent lines. Adjustable and can slide.

Set up your line/rope

create a bight around the object that you are tying the line to

Wrap the end fully around the line

Close up

Put

Pull end through loop

Close up

Pull end through first loop

Close up