type of friction hitch used by climbers for fall protection during ascent. descent. and work positioning.
The taut-line hitch is an adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension. It is useful when the length of a line will need to be periodically adjusted in order to maintain tension. It is made by tying a rolling hitch around the standing part after passing around an anchor object. Tension is maintained by sliding the hitch to adjust the size of the loop, thus changing the effective length of the standing part without retying the knot.
| Taut-line hitch | |
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| Names | Taut-line hitch, Adjustable hitch, Rigger's hitch, Midshipman's hitch, Tent-line hitch, Tent hitch |
| Category | Hitch |
| Related | Magnus hitch, Rolling hitch, Two half-hitches, Trucker's hitch, Adjustable grip hitch |
| ABoK | #62, #1027, #1230, #1729, #1730, #1799, #1800, #1855, #1856, #1857, #1993 |
| Instructions | [1] |
It is typically used for securing tent lines in outdoor activities involving camping, by arborists when climbing trees, for tying down aircraft, for creating adjustable moorings in tidal areas, and to secure loads on vehicles. A versatile knot, the taut-line hitch was even used by astronauts during STS-82, the second Space Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.