Garda hitch

Revision as of 12:19, 16 August 2025 by Karl (talk | contribs) (Tying)

Garda hitch is one of the elementary hitches for creavase self-rescue. It is very versatile hitch, yet its application scope is limited mainly by its unidirectional nature and in some cases by possible safety issues.

Garda hitch
Use(s)(self-)rescue techniques, material hauling
ProsFast, simple, just two carabiners needed
ConsIt goes only one-way and its almost impossible to release when loaded, can slip in specific cases
CategoryHitch
Strengthrope: slipping ~35% (specific cases), breaking ~45-60%[1]

Tying

         

Steps description: First hang a rope onto two carabiners (1), I personally prefer D-biners with a screw-gate. Next take the rear strand and wrap it around the front carabiner as illustrated (2). You finalize the garda hitch by taking the left rope and move it above the loop, the loop seats itself into the corner of the D-biners. Do not forget to screw the gates (4) and inspect both the gates and the garda hitch itself (5).

Slippage

TODO

References

  1. Jenks, Ryan (4 September 2024). Could you survive with just 2 carabiners?. HowNOT2. Retrieved 16 August 2025.