Clove hitch: Difference between revisions
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| image = File: clove.jpg | | image = File: clove.jpg | ||
| pros = Fast, simple, robust, easily adjustable | | pros = Fast, simple, robust, easily adjustable | ||
| cons = In specific cases the hitch might get stuck | | cons = In specific cases the hitch might get stuck. It is prone to slip slightly under higher loads. Due to the chance of slippage, it is strongly recommended to back it up in critical applications. | ||
| uses = [[Anchor#Buidling_sport_anchors|Anchor building]], (self-)attaching | | uses = [[Anchor#Buidling_sport_anchors|Anchor building]], (self-)attaching to an anchor, belay station offsetting and more | ||
| category = Hitch | | category = Hitch | ||
| strength = polyamid ~50-60%, 6mm aramid ~35% | | strength = Breaks: polyamid ~50-60%, 6mm aramid ~35%. Can slip at lower loads in some cases.<ref name=Edelrid2020>{{cite web | url=https://edelrid.com/eu-en/knowledge/knowledge-base/strength-reduction-of-textile-materials-by-knots | title=Strength reduction of textile materials by knots | publisher=EDELRID GmbH & Co. KG | author=EDELRID Team | date=20 October 2020 | website=edelrid | access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Clove hitch''' is an essential knot used for its adjustability and reliability. It is employed for instance in [[Anchor#Buidling_sport_anchors|anchor building]], offsetting a belay station for | '''Clove hitch''' is an essential knot used for its adjustability and reliability. It is employed for instance in [[Anchor#Buidling_sport_anchors|anchor building]], offsetting a belay station for belaying of the second climber, and for self-attaching to the anchor point with a rope. | ||
== Tying == | == Tying == | ||
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|File: clove_3.png | |File: clove_3.png | ||
|163px | |163px | ||
|Form a hitch by | |Form a hitch by moving the right loop over the left one without any rotation (3) | ||
|File: clove_4.png | |File: clove_4.png | ||
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|File: clove_567.png | |File: clove_567.png | ||
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| | |Tighten the knot by sequentially pulling the rope ends (5,6) and lock the gate (7) | ||
|File: clove_final.png | |File: clove_final.png | ||
|100px | |100px | ||
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}} | }} | ||
When tying and inspect the knot, make sure that the rope ends come out of the knot in the opposite directions | When tying and inspect the knot, make sure that the rope ends come out of the knot in the opposite directions from inside of the loop under the carabiner. | ||
=== One-hand method === | === One-hand method === | ||
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|File: clove_onehand_456.png | |File: clove_onehand_456.png | ||
|114px | |114px | ||
| | |Tighten the knot by sequentially pulling the rope ends (4,5), and lock the gate (6) | ||
|File: clove_onehand_7.png | |File: clove_onehand_7.png | ||
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== Quick repositioning == | == Quick repositioning == | ||
One of the strongest points of the clove hitch is that it can be quickly repositioned without cancelling the setup, or opening the carabiner on which it is tied | One of the strongest points of the clove hitch is that it can be quickly repositioned without cancelling the setup, or opening the carabiner on which it is tied.<ref>Clove hitch repositioning starts at 7 minutes 10 seconds: {{Cite AV media | first1=Alice | last1=Kerr | date=19 July 2022 | title=Learning to Trad Climb: Part 3 - How to build a belay | url=https://youtu.be/-r9TK6pb9KE?t=430 | publisher=DMM Wales | access-date=28 September 2025}}</ref> | ||
{{#invoke:FlexGallery|gallery|100px | {{#invoke:FlexGallery|gallery|100px | ||
Revision as of 19:52, 28 September 2025
| Clove hitch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Use(s) | Anchor building, (self-)attaching to an anchor, belay station offsetting and more |
| Pros | Fast, simple, robust, easily adjustable |
| Cons | In specific cases the hitch might get stuck. It is prone to slip slightly under higher loads. Due to the chance of slippage, it is strongly recommended to back it up in critical applications. |
| Category | Hitch |
| Strength | Breaks: polyamid ~50-60%, 6mm aramid ~35%. Can slip at lower loads in some cases.[1] |
Clove hitch is an essential knot used for its adjustability and reliability. It is employed for instance in anchor building, offsetting a belay station for belaying of the second climber, and for self-attaching to the anchor point with a rope.
Tying
Easy method
This method is very robust. Suitable for learning how to tie the hitch.
Take two bights of a rope next to each other (1) 
Form loops out of them by rotating them counterclockwise (2) 
Form a hitch by moving the right loop over the left one without any rotation (3) 
Pull a carabiner through the loops (4) 
Tighten the knot by sequentially pulling the rope ends (5,6) and lock the gate (7) 
Inspect the knot and the carabiner gate (8)
When tying and inspect the knot, make sure that the rope ends come out of the knot in the opposite directions from inside of the loop under the carabiner.
One-hand method
Non-crucial, but handy once you have only one hand free. Always use the hand at the same side as the gate is facing.
Start with a rope through a carabiner with the gate pointing towards right 
Grab the rear rope strand from the left side by your right hand, thumb pointing down 
Rotate the hand into a thumb-up position, making a loop (1) 
Open the gate by pulling the rope through it (2), the rope is oriented in a way that the end coming from the top of your hand goes from the front towards the back of the carabiner 
After pulling the rope through, the gate closes itself automatically (3) 
Tighten the knot by sequentially pulling the rope ends (4,5), and lock the gate (6) 
Inspect the knot and the carabiner gate (8)
Quick repositioning
One of the strongest points of the clove hitch is that it can be quickly repositioned without cancelling the setup, or opening the carabiner on which it is tied.[2]
Loosen the knot by pulling the middle strand between the two loops (1) 
Pull only one of the strands (2) 
The knot got repositioned
Slippage
| Material | Force (kN) |
|---|---|
| 7.9 mm 1/2 rope | 6.5 |
| 8.9 mm triple-rated rope | 7.8 |
| 8 mm Dyneema® | 3.0 |
| 11 mm Dyneema® | 5.1 |
| 19 mm polyamid | 10.1* |
| 6 mm accessory cord | 6.9 |
The clove hitch generally does not slip below 6 kN of force if you use a dynamic rope on a carabiner. Chance of the slipping is higher if the clove hitch is tied with a static rope, and/or around a big-diameter object (tree, smooth stone). There is a report of slow slippage already at 3 kN of force applied in case that an 8mm dyneema sling was tied on a carabiner. Therefore in critical applications such as anchor building, the clove hitch should be backed-up, otherwise it might slip off.
For detailed list of values, see the table on the right.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 EDELRID Team (20 October 2020). "Strength reduction of textile materials by knots". edelrid. EDELRID GmbH & Co. KG. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ↑ Clove hitch repositioning starts at 7 minutes 10 seconds: Kerr, Alice (19 July 2022). Learning to Trad Climb: Part 3 - How to build a belay. DMM Wales. Retrieved 28 September 2025.