Snow said:
Great photos, guys. This is something I need more practice with for sure and it always helps to see how others do it.
+1. Especially with the knots used and stuff like that.
That's a good one for me to remember :thumbup:. And using the monkey fist on the inside like hikeeba did.
Disclaimer: Forgive me if I am not (knot!) using proper roping terminology, like bend, bight, etc...
I tend to use a loop made with a simple overhand knot with the rock/monkey fist. It is super-easy and fast to tie and untie, and the loop will tighten itself the more you pull on the main line.
Or, if I want something more secure/bomber, I'll used a single fisherman's knot (sorry for the bad cell phone pic).
And my #1, most used, knot for guying out tents and tarps is is the taut-line hitch. Again, super-easy to tie, and easy to undo. If you're unfamiliar with this hitch, it is sort of ike a ratchet. Once tight and under tension, it won't readily move. If you relieve the tension on the main line, you can slide the hitch up and down the line to adjust tension. Grab the knot with one hand, and the main line behind the knot (loop end) with the other hand, pull on the main line to relieve tension, and slide the knot up and down the line. I tie this knot more than I tie shoes. Really, I use it everywhere - temporary clothes lines in the house, adjustable loops for holding doors open, for joining two lines together that I want to adjust in length, etc. Small stuff - not a life-safety climbing knot!
Animated version at this site:
http://www.netknots.com/html/tautline_hitch.html
If you have a problem with this know slipping on whatever line you're using, try increasing the number of times you go around the main line before crossing it back on itself for the final loop.
And finally, to attach line to grommets or webbing loops, I use a girth hitch.
Again, my motivation is that it is easy to tie and untie. With grommets and loops, one needs to threadthe line through to make the girth hitch, chich is also called a lark's head knot, I think. I usually leave the tail loose, but if you need a bomber hook-up, just tie the tail in an overhand knot or a single fisherman's knot around the main line to prevent it from slipping and coming undone.
My hammock (in the above pics) is secured to the trees using girth hitches. I just slide them around the trees to adjust the height and tension of the hammock, and they tighten once I get into the hammock. Sometimes they take a little adjusting, especially if one is in and out of the hammock a lot, but they are easiy to loosen and adjust. And once the weight is applied, they stay put.
I like simple knots, and the ones I've listed have always worked well for me. Again, I used these knots for securing tents and tarps, and not for any life safety maneuvers!
:thumbup: