Written by

Craig Caudill

Using Rope

We have done several blog posts and videos on the subject of rope, knots, coils etc.  In this post we wanted to show you another knot and how to use them.

To summarize the video in the segment that we show how to tie something down on a truck or trailer, we used two half-hitches to secure the rope initially.  We then tied in a trucker’s hitch, or as I called it in the video a canoeman’s hitch (see drawing).

Canoeman's Hitch

It is a really easy method to setup a “pulley” of sorts in the middle of a rope.  One we did that and pulled it down through we then tied an overhand knot to keep it all secure.

From there we showed how to tie a prusik knot.  Which is useful in climbing, hauling gear, tying gear that hangs off of a rope, keeping tents tied tightly, etc.  This little knot is a good one to know and so easy to utilize.  For some reason people new to rope see you as a superhero when you can tie this knot and utilize it. So become a superhero, learn this knot!

Prusik

From there we learned how to put a tripod together.  This is useful for setting up a cooker over a fire, or to hang gear to dry.  Even to build two sides of a ridgepole for all sorts of usefulness.  In the video I mention I did reenacting as a kid.  I still do a little.  I found a video here, that shoes some kids setting a tipi up.  You can see them tying the knot that I mention around :50 into the video.

I had alot of fun showing these fundamental knots and uses, I am sure I will do a series later on some more and varied uses of rope.  So please stay tuned and please, subscribe to the Dan’s Depot Youtube Channel!

Hope to see you on, or off, the trail!