How to Tie a Bottom Loaded Release Hitch

The bottom loaded hitch knot is used to secure one rope to another. Common in boating and rock climbing, the hitch knot usually ties an item to your existing rope in a way that allows you to it release quickly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Main line rope
• 6 foot hitch line

1. Begin with your working line, the rope you're secured with. Hold the clamp up about 5 inches to right of the working line. Make a loop below that point and draw the hitch line to your left and over the top of the working line.

2. Take the hitch line on the left and pull it behind the working line and the hitch line on the right, between the clamp and the loop.

3. Pull the hitch line through the looped end and back over the top of the working line. This creates a second loop to the right of the working line.

4. Wrap the left end of the hitch line around the working line, effectively securing the hitch line to the working line. Wrap the hitch line 3 to 5 times.

5. Gently adjust the wraps and pull on the clamped end of the hitch line to remove slack and secure the load release hitch knot.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your hitch rope has a figure-8 knot tied at each end, with a clamp attached at one end.
• Practice this load release hitch on a table to perfect your technique. Use a working line that's a different color from your hitch line so you can easily differentiate between the two.