The only 5 knots you'll ever need camping

11:23 PM Camping , Hiking 0 Comments

This is my definitive list of the best simple knots that you can master for your next camping trip to make your life easier in and around your campsite.

Not only will these knots allow you to set up ridge lines, tarp loops, tie downs and hanging loops, they are also extremely effective, quick, and easy to tie, untie and adjust.

Let's get to it, these are the best five camping knots in the order of use when setting up camp.

1. Evenk Hitch
The Siberian Hitch , aka the Evenk Hitch, is one of the fastest and most useful knots for tying down a ridge line to a tree, post or another object.With one twist of your hand, you'll have a strong knot which can be tightened but not loosened, and has a quick release for packing up. Two seconds to tie, one second to untie.

This knot is best used to set your initial tie point for ridge lines or anchor points, so is one of the first you'll use when setting up camp, and is also one of the easiest to learn.

2. Taut Tarp Hitch
The Taut Tarp Hitch is used primarily as your second ridge line tie point and allows you to apply good pressure on the line to keep it taut, hence the name.This knot is very easy to tie and untie with a quick release feature, and makes use of cord friction so you don't waster your energy pulling a tight line.

If you want to trim down your knot knowledge even more, you can abandon this knot and combine the tightening part at the start with a regular Tautline Hitch Knot detailed below.

3. Double Fisherman's Knot
The Double Fisherman's Knot is perfect for combining two lengths of cordage or rope, or to create an adjustable cord loop, necklace or band.This is ideal to use if you aren't able to find a suitable camp location and have to extend your rope to get a ridge line, or to create a secure rope loop to hang or wear.

This knot is the most difficult to learn, but once your loops are created you can leave them in that configuration in the long term.

4. Prusik Knot
The Prusik Knot is an adjustable sliding knot used to attach your tarp to a ridge line, or to attach additional tie points to an existing line at camp.It is often combined with the Double Fisherman's Knot above to create permanent fixing loops that can be packed up with your shelter or ridge line, but any loop will work.

5. Tautline Hitch
The Tautline Hitch is an adjustable knot often used for guy lines on your tent or tarp.This knot has the ability to adjust the tension on the line in both directions after tying the knot, making it perfect for a flexible setup to adapt your shelter to changes in weather.

This knot can also be modified with a quick release loop at the end to make it very easy to untie.

This knot is a possible replacement to the Taut Tarp Hitch for your ridge line, but the adjustment feature is not useful in that situation.