Page Contents:
See these dedicated pages for these items:
Overview
The Longhorn Zenith Hitch is a friction hitch, which is built using the Longhorn Loop. This hitch is easier to tie than the Longhorn Agile, with not need for a precise starting measurement. However it is more sensitive to jamming than the LA and is only recommended for DSRT. It works best if we incorporate a carabiner as a handle, which is pulled down as we step up. It requires more effort to move and therefore, moving both hitches with one hand is not recommended. Although it can be used for SRT applications, breaking it under load can be more difficult. The Longhorn Zenith Hitch prefers a cord to rope ratio which is smaller than most friction hitches, about 60-65%.
Longhorn Loop
The Longhorn Loop is used as a building block in creating the Longhorn Zenith Hitch. Analogy: Just like a Prusik knot requires a Prusik Loop to create it, the Longhorn Agile Hitch requires a Longhorn loop to create it. The amount of cord that is needed is detailed in a later section.
Tying the LZ
These two videos capture the details:
Length Spec’s
This table captures the size of the resulting ‘load loop’ produced with these recommended rope & cord combinations when tying the 3-2 variant. The most compact loop which can effectively be produced is approximately one inch, indicated by the (C) in the table below. When selecting a cord, ensure that it is appropriately strong, with an appropriate safety factor for the application, particularly in the smaller diameters. Refer to: Cord
| Rope & Cord Diameters | % | Cord Length | Working Ends for Longhorn | Resulting Loop Size (3-2 variant) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 mm 5 mm | 62% | 72″ 183 | 11″ 28 | 11″ 28 |
| 8 mm 5 mm | 62% | 60″ 152 | 11″ 28 | 5″ 12.7 |
| 8 mm 5 mm | 62% | 58″ 147 | 12″ 30.5 | 1″ (C) 2.5 |
| 9.5 mm 6 mm | 63% | 72″ 183 | 12″ 30.5 | 5.5″ 14 |
| 9.5 mm 6 mm | 63% | 65″ 165 | 13″ 33 | 1″ (C) 2.5 |
| 10 mm 6 mm | 60% | 72″ 183 | 12″ 30.5 | 5″ 12.7 |
| 10 mm 6 mm | 60% | 70″ 178 | 13″ 33 | 1″ (C) 2.5 |
| 11.1 mm 7 mm | 63% | 84″ 213 | 14″ 35.5 | 6″ 15 |
| 11.1 mm 7 mm | 63% | 80″ 203 | 15″ 38 | 1″ (C) 2.5 |