Backpacker – August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019

48 BACKPACKER.COM

ILLUSTRATIONS BY KENNETH DOORY

TIE THE KNOT

With some cord and a little know-how, you can rig shelters, fix broken gear, hang your food, and so much more.

Master these three essential knots to get started. By Zoe G ates

Skill Set
TRAIL CRAFT

BOWLINE

Best for: making a loop, hanging a

ha mmock, or lowering a pack

1. Begin by crossing the working end (the
   free end) over the standing part (the long,
   f i xed end) to create a loop.


2. If anchoring to an object, bring the
   working end around that object before
   proceeding. Pass it up through the bottom
   of the loop.


3. Wrap the working end around the
   standing strand, then pass it back down
   through the loop.


4. P u l l tig ht.

SQUARE KNOT

Best for: joining two strands of equal or

unequal thickness, improvising a hipbelt,

or connecting the ends of the sa me cord

1. Cross the two strands, with the left
   wrapped over and under the right.


2. Wrap what is now the right working end
   over then under the left.


3. Pull tight. If your knot is symmetrical,
   you’ve tied it correctly.

TAUTLINE HITCH

Best for: rigg ing ad justable a nchors that

slide up or down the guyline of your

shelter to fine-tune the tension

1. Loop the line around the anchor point
   and cross the working end over the
   standing part.


2. Pass the working end around the
   standing part twice, wrapping each
   additional loop in toward the anchor.


3. Bring the working end away from the
   anchor and loop once more on the outside of
   the first loop. Tuck the tail in a half hitch.


4. Pull tight and slide to adjust tension.

All tangled up? Sign up for

our online course for expert

video instruction on 15 knots and their

applications. Visit backpacker.com/

knotscourse for more info.

1 1

2 2

1

3 3

2

4 4

3