Rock Climbing Knots - Italian Hitch
The Italian Hitch is an extremely useful knot as it can be used for Belaying, Abseiling, and rigging. It is a friction device which creates friction by rubbing on the hardware or object, usually a Carabiner, so the descent can be controlled in a belay mechanism. But since this knot leaves a lot of bends in the rope, the Italian Hitch is used only as back-up or for emergency situations.
As a belaying knot, this hitch allows great flexibility in system design and operation. The knot is controlled from the front, as opposed to a belay plate which must be controlled from behind. Maximum breaking is obtained by having the ropes parallel on the load side of the carabiner.
Step 1:
Run the rope through the opened Carabiner.
Step 2:
Make a loop in the rope.
Step 3:
Pass the Carabiner through the loop.
Step 4:
Pull to tighten and close the gate of the biner.
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| timeads |
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The "Italian hitch" is also known and taught in some places as the "Munter Hitch". http://www.abc-of-rockclimbing.com/info/carabiners-types.asp
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| ffemt |
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Thankfully I know about this knot. I've had to lend my belay device in the past. Fortunately I had an extra carabiner to use with the Italian hitch. It comes in handy.
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These are all the Animated Knots we have on our website:
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