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    Tying It All Together

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    BushcraftOz
    This document provides instructions and descriptions for six useful knots for camping and hiking: the bowline knot, round turn and two half hitches, truckie's hitch, sheet bend, timber hitch, and tautline hitch. The bowline knot is described as the most important to learn as it forms a fixed loop that will not constrict and is easy to undo. The truckie's hitch is useful for tying down loads and creates a pulley system for tensioning lines. Mastering these six knots can improve camping skills and the ability to set up camp faster and more securely.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Tying It All Together

    Uploaded by

    BushcraftOz
    444 views2 pages
    This document provides instructions and descriptions for six useful knots for camping and hiking: the bowline knot, round turn and two half hitches, truckie's hitch, sheet bend, timber hitch, and tautline hitch. The bowline knot is described as the most important to learn as it forms a fixed loop that will not constrict and is easy to undo. The truckie's hitch is useful for tying down loads and creates a pulley system for tensioning lines. Mastering these six knots can improve camping skills and the ability to set up camp faster and more securely.

    Original Description:

    An article on useful bushcraft knots

    Original Title

    Tying It All together

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    This document provides instructions and descriptions for six useful knots for camping and hiking: the bowline knot, round turn and two half hitches, truckie's hitch, sheet bend, timber hitch, and tautline hitch. The bowline knot is described as the most important to learn as it forms a fixed loop that will not constrict and is easy to undo. The truckie's hitch is useful for tying down loads and creates a pulley system for tensioning lines. Mastering these six knots can improve camping skills and the ability to set up camp faster and more securely.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    444 views2 pages

    Tying It All Together

    Uploaded by

    BushcraftOz
    This document provides instructions and descriptions for six useful knots for camping and hiking: the bowline knot, round turn and two half hitches, truckie's hitch, sheet bend, timber hitch, and tautline hitch. The bowline knot is described as the most important to learn as it forms a fixed loop that will not constrict and is easy to undo. The truckie's hitch is useful for tying down loads and creates a pulley system for tensioning lines. Mastering these six knots can improve camping skills and the ability to set up camp faster and more securely.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    bushcraft

    Here weve used knots to haul timber


    and set up tarpaulins over our swags.

    Tying

    Together
    It All

    Words & Images: Blake Muir

    or what appears to be such a rudimentary task its amazing to see just how
    many variations and alternatives there are to tying a piece of rope or two pieces
    of rope. Authors have literally filled books on the subject and there is even an
    International Guild of Knot Tyers if you can believe that. As time goes on and
    technological luxuries become commonplace in our camping activities its interesting to
    note that the humble rope still finds a place in every campers arsenal of must-carry items.
    I have always marvelled at the diversity of knots and approaching the subject
    with curiosity tends to leave one feeling overwhelmed with choice. Its fair to say that
    knot tying is a simple skill that many people are guilty of overlooking as a pass task
    for boy scoutsmyself included. However, whether youre tying down a tarpaulin in
    preparation for a stormy night or fixing a load to your camper trailer, knowing a few of
    these clever knots will ensure that camp is set up faster, sturdier and safer. Knowing
    a few knots does make life much easier in the bush and with repeated use their use
    becomes second nature when the need arises.
    In this article I will do my best to sweep away the confusion and focus on those
    knots that relate specifically to camping and hiking.
    Master these six knots and add another patch of camping cred to your jacket.

    Bowline
    Use: Creating a fixed loop at the end of a
    rope. This knot is ideal for the eyelets of tarps,
    hammocks or throw-lines when on the water.
    This knot could literally save a life as the loop
    will not constrict and is easy to undo. If you are
    going to learn only one knot, make it this one.
    1. Make a small loop in the rope.
    2. Pass the working end back through the loop
    you just created and around the standing
    end of rope.
    3. C ontinue to bring the working end back
    though the loop again and tighten by pulling
    on the standing end.

    Go Ca mping Austr a li a

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    Round Turn & Two Half Hitches

    Truckies Hitch

    Use: A fast and simple knot for tying off a rope at tension or as a
    start for lashing. It is useful where you need to adjust or move the
    free end of a rope as once tightened it will stay in place. With certain
    types of cord the common clove hitch can slip somewhat before
    holding so this is a good alternative.

    Use: Tying down loads on your vehicle or trailer. It is also great for
    tarpaulin ridge-lines or any situation where a very taut line is required.
    The truckies hitch creates a rudimentary pulley system that gives a
    mechanical advantage over standard knots.
    There seems to be more versions of this knot than there are truck
    drivers. This version is a good one because it will not tighten if the
    rope gets wet and is easy to undo when the load is released. Its the
    most complicated of the knots Ive described here, but master this
    one and you will never have loose gear on the road.

    1. Wrap the working end of rope around your anchored object twice.
    2. Bring the working end around the standing end of rope and pass
    it over itself creating a half hitch.
    3. R
     epeat step 2 by creating a second half hitch and pull tight.

    1.With one side tied off, bring the working end of the rope underneath
    your anchor point and back over itself. Reach over and bring up a
    bight of rope so that the working end is being cradled by the bight.
    This will create two bights in the rope, one in your hand and one
    with the working end running through.
    2. With one hand holding the bight use your free hand to create a
    loop in the standing end by twisting the rope and pass the bight
    through. Repeat this process further up the rope so you have two
    loops holding the bight.

    Terminology

    Sheet Bend

    Timber Hitch
    Use: Attaching rope to a cylindrical object like a branch or tree
    trunk; great for clotheslines, bundling firewood or dragging large
    fallen logs off tracks.
    1. Bring the rope under and over your object and pass the working
    end around the standing end.
    2. Wrap the working end around the loop on your object three times.
    3. If you intend on using the knot for dragging a log along its length
    add two half hitches on the towing end to prevent twisting.

    Use: Joining two lengths of rope together. This is much more reliable
    than a common reef knot. If the ropes are uneven thickness, the
    thicker rope is the bend rope. A double sheet bend for extra security
    or for wet ropes can be made by repeating step 2.
    1. Form a bend in the rope you would like to join to and pass the
    connecting rope under the opening of the loop.
    2. B
     ring the rope around both ends of the bend.
    3. Pass the rope back under itself and pull all four ends to tighten. A
    double wrap, repeating step 2 forms a double sheet bend.

    3. Still holding the bight, pull down on the free end of rope until the
    bight is held. You can now pull down with both hands to cinch down
    the load. Finish by tying off with a clove hitch and another half hitch.

    Tautline Hitch
    Use: Adjusting the tension of tie-out lines or ridge-lines. The
    knot will grip a rope when lateral force is applied, but slides when
    released. This knot is not designed for climbing, however a similar
    knot designed for holding body weight is the prusik knot.
    1. B
     ring your line around a fixed object such as a tree or tent peg.
    2. Bring the free end over the standing line and wrap it around twice
    inside the loop this created.
    3. Finish the knot by bringing the working end over both wraps and
    to the outside of the large loop. Pass the rope loop around the
    standing end and back through itself. Pull tight. The knot can now
    be slid up and down the rope when tension is released.

    MORE INFORMATION
    International Guild of Knot Tyers:
    www.igkt.net
    G
     oogle knot tying for more online knot tying resources.
    N
     eed knots on the move? There are a few useful knot tying
    smartphone apps on GooglePlay or iTunes.

    Want more fascinating Aussie bushcraft skills


    and information? Visit the Australian Bushcraft
    Forum at www.bushcraftoz.com
    Low impact or stealth camping is becoming more
    popular and is definitely where good knot tying
    skills come in handyyou dont want that hammock
    sliding down the tree in the middle of the night!

    60 |

    Go Ca mping Austr a li a

    Go Ca mping Austr a li a

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