Tell how to tie a taut line hitch.

Tell how to tie a taut line hitch.

• A. Pass line around tent stake (or hole). Bring the end under and over the standing part of the line to form a loop, then twice through the loop. Again, bring the rope end under, over, and through the loop but further up the standing part. Work any slack out of the knot. Slide the hitch to tighten or loosen the line.
• B. Tie line around once and pull tight, then finish with a simple overhand knot.
• C. Wrap the line around once around the stake and pull tight, then secure with a second knot.
• D. Form a fixed loop by threading the line through itself and pulling tight.

Answer: (A)

A taut line hitch is an adjustable friction hitch that lets you slide the line along the standing part and lock it in place when tensioned. The key is making a loop and wrapping the working end around the standing part through that loop more than once. When you pull the free end, those wraps bite into the standing part and create friction that holds the line; to loosen, you slide the hitch along the standing part toward the anchor, which reduces friction and lets the line move. The described method starts by anchoring the line around a stake, then forming a loop, then passing the end through the loop twice to create two wraps around the standing part. Repeating another wrap further up increases the friction for a stronger hold. After removing slack, you can slide the hitch to tighten or loosen the line. This combination of loops and wraps is what makes it adjustable, unlike a simple nonadjustable knot or a fixed loop.

A taut line hitch is an adjustable friction hitch that lets you slide the line along the standing part and lock it in place when tensioned. The key is making a loop and wrapping the working end around the standing part through that loop more than once. When you pull the free end, those wraps bite into the standing part and create friction that holds the line; to loosen, you slide the hitch along the standing part toward the anchor, which reduces friction and lets the line move.

The described method starts by anchoring the line around a stake, then forming a loop, then passing the end through the loop twice to create two wraps around the standing part. Repeating another wrap further up increases the friction for a stronger hold. After removing slack, you can slide the hitch to tighten or loosen the line. This combination of loops and wraps is what makes it adjustable, unlike a simple nonadjustable knot or a fixed loop.