Camping Knots

Presented by:
Barrera, Roge Marie
Lencio, Richard Neil
Maloto, Krystalle Heaven
Roque, Joey May
Taton, Therese Marie
Camping Knots
• Every true camper needs a couple of rope tying tricks up
their sleeves, and would be lost without the knowledge of
how to tie at least a couple of the more simple knots.
• Before you get onto the fun stuff, it’s useful to know a few
things about the different types of knots you’ll be learning.
There are hundreds of cool knots out there, all with different
names and variations of the original version. Usefully, most
of the knots are described in their name, and so if you know
a few basic terms, you’re more likely to understand what
they are used for, how and why.
The knot
• A knot is used to tie a rope to itself. Tying your
boot laces or doing up your necktie are both good
examples of knots we use every day.
The hitch
• A hitch is used to tie a rope to another object; like
tying a washing line to a tree or securing your
dogs’ lead to a post.
The bend
• A bend is used when tying together two different pieces
of rope. Not often used in everyday scenarios, unless
you need to make a swift getaway out of an upstairs
window: a bend will allow you to tie two sheets together
for a safe descent!
Common uses for camping knots
• Knowing a few basic knots for camping will enable you to
secure tarps and shelters, fasten guy lines on tents, tie down
gear on the car and fix up lines for drying washing or hanging
lanterns. However, they will also equip you with the ability to
mend things that break, or to adjust things to the conditions: a
tent pole that has snapped in high winds can be lashed together
for a temporary fix, guy lines that need securing to a more solid
stake can be lengthened.
The six essential camping
knots
The reef knot/square knot
• Used to: tie two ends of a
rope together
• Notes: not to be used under
tension as it will slip
• Difficulty rating: easy
• Uses at camp:
• tie up a bundle of wood
• extend the length of a washing
line by tying two ropes together
• tie up a bandage
Sheet bend
• Used to: tie two ropes together
that are different sizes or
thicknesses
• Notes: the thicker rope must be
used as the bight with the thinner
rope tying around it – as shown
• Difficulty rating: medium
• Uses at camp:
• lengthen a guy line by adding a spare
bit of rope or string to the end
• fix snapped boot laces by adding
whatever bit of string or cord you can
get hold of
Round turn and two half hitches
• Used to: secure a rope in a
variety of situations – a good
all round hitch that is strong
and doesn’t slip
• Notes: easy to untie even
after being subject to a heavy
load
• Difficulty rating: easy
• Uses at camp:
• tie a washing line to a tree
• tie a load to the roof rack of
your car
Bowline knot
• Used to: tie a loop in the end of
a line
• Notes: a secure knot that
doesn’t slip when it is loaded but
will untie easily when not loaded
• Difficulty rating: medium
• Uses at camp:
• tie a bear bag from the loop at the
end of a hanging rope
• thread the other end of the rope
through the loop and tie off to
secure a load on the a car
Double figure of eight knot
• Used to: create a loop in the
end or middle of a rope
• Notes: it is easy to identify if
done incorrectly and is a strong
knot that tightens with a load
• Difficulty rating: easy
• Uses at camp:
• create a line with multiple loops to
hang lanterns on
• tow a car out of the mud (only for
use with a rope that is strong
enough for the job!)
Taut line hitch
• Used to: create an adjustable
knot that can slide back and
forth along a line
• Notes: it is a secure knot as
long as there is tension
• Difficulty rating: medium
• Uses at camp:
• use as a guy line on a tarp
when high tension is required
• replace a tent guy line
Thank you for listening!