Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Some useful knots
You don't have to be a nautical
whiz to go camping, but there
are a few knots that are very
useful for everyday tasks around
the campsite, like tying up
tarpaulins, attaching guylines to
rainflys, or fixing a swing. Here
are four knots worth practicing
on a rainy afternoon. If you can,
use rope rather than string to
learn a knot. String is too thin
and you won't be able to see
what you've created.
Fisherman's knot
Especially useful for repairing
snapped guylines, this can be
used to tie together two
lengths of rope, even if they
are of different thicknesses. A
reef knot can also be used, but
has to be kept under tension.
Taut-line or Tent hitch
Useful for attaching guylines, this is an adjustable
loop knot that can be slackened off and shortened
easily to maintain the correct tension.
Start with the working
end of the rope. Take it
around a large loop and
then pass the working
end through.
Take the working end
over the standing piece
and through the loop.
Then over, and through
the loop again.
Pass the working end
around the standing part
and push it through the
loop. Pull the standing
end to tension the knot.
