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Essential Knots


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Essential knots

One of the most common inputs from new saddle hunters is something like this: “I want to be safe and I want to learn to climb using ropes, but there’s just too many knots and it’s all overwhelming”.

Below, JRB has compiled the smallest set of the most basic and essential knots which can be used to construct a non-mechanical climbing system. Note that ESSENTIAL does not necessarily mean the BEST. The goal of the essential knots is to balance the need for both functionality and simplicity. Friends are encouraged to research the full set of recommended knots here:


Hitch: Scaffold knot

The most basic hitch, creating an adjustable, cinching loop, great for securing a carabiner or a quick link to a rope is a Scaffold knot. See:


Trunk Anchor: Bloodgood Hitch

The overall choice for the most simple, performant and versatile trunk anchor is the Bloodgood hitch. Be sure that the loop is about one foot in size as described in the video. A smaller loop will prohibit proper loosening of the hitch in retrieval. See the dedicated page for all the options.


Trunk Anchor: Maverick & Variants

The Maverick Hitch, Super Maverick hitch and flipped variants can be used instead of or in conjunction with the Bloodgood Hitch, or other anchors. For example, in a Hitch Climbing exercise, we might use the Bloodgood (or Allegheny) for the anchor during ascent, and then switch to the a Maverick (or JRB Hitch) for our final anchor, used for rappel and (easy) retrieval.

The Super Maverick is less prone to deformation and jamming.

The flipped variant is preferred if advancing with a pole.


Friction Hitch: Longhorn Agile

Although there are simpler friction hitches, those hitches are not reliably breakable under load. Assuming that you are not using a mechanical device, the overall best performing friction hitch is the Longhorn Agile. JRB recommends using the recommended length of cord and using the “stable” finish option. See dedicated page for details:


Rappel: Munter

JRB recommends using the Munter Friction Hitch for Rappel. See videos:


Other knots

This page only captures the smallest set of essential knots necessary to create a climbing system. There are many other knots that are useful to know, including:

  • Hunters Bend (for joining the ends of a rope)
  • Hedden knot (for mechanical device backup)
  • Super Maverick Hitch (for easy retrieval after rappel)

Refer to the knots page for a directory of all the knots recommended by JRB: