Girth Hitch

The Girth Hitch is one of those knots you will use constantly once you start attaching personal tethers and slings. The most familiar example in this book is girth-hitching a Personal Anchor System to the harness.

Its simplicity is the appeal: the loop itself wraps around the object, which can eliminate one carabiner at that attachment point.

PROS

• Very quick to tie and untie.

• Efficient for attaching closed loops, slings, and PAS-style tethers.

• Can be formed with one hand after practice.

CONS

• Can substantially reduce sling strength; the amount depends on the material and configuration. Do not use a single percentage as a safe working-load calculation.

• Not intended here as a dynamic-load rescue knot.

CAUTION: Use it for the attachment jobs described here, not as a stand-in for stronger rescue or life-support knots when the system calls for something else.

CANYONEERING USAGE

Attach a compatible PAS, lanyard, or sling to a harness when the equipment manufacturer specifies a girth-hitch connection.

Attach a sewn sling or loop around a suitable anchor feature or object without adding another connector.

Attach some friction-hitch cords or accessories to the harness when that system specifically calls for a girth hitch.

Create a compact connection that stays captured around the object, while recognizing that bend radius and material affect strength.

Avoid shock-loading or using the hitch in a way the sling, harness, or manufacturer does not permit.

ADDITIONAL READING:

• Petzl – CONNECT ADJUST (installing on the harness with a girth hitch)
• Petzl – DUAL CONNECT ADJUST
• Petzl – CANYON CLUB Harness: Cutaway Sling
• Petzl – Rappelling (girth-hitched friction-cord context)
• American Canyoneering Academy – Need-To-Know Canyon Knots
• The Mountaineers – Standard Techniques

Fold the rope to create a bight. Keep the doubled section together and remove obvious twists.

Pass the bight completely through the carabiner.

GIRTH HITCH

Open the bight wide enough to bring both standing strands through it.

Pass both rope strands together through the bight in the direction shown.

GIRTH HITCH

Pull the standing strands away from the carabiner to cinch the hitch around the carabiner.

Dress the hitch so the doubled rope lies flat, the bight is fully captured, and no strand is twisted or trapped against the gate.

GIRTH HITCH

Snug the finished Girth Hitch and inspect the connection before loading it.

KNOT GUIDE