Must-Know Knots for Campers

Japan's camping boom has led to an increase in the number of people who have just started camping or are looking to get into camping. In this article, we'll introduce three useful knots for beginner campers, so anyone new to camping can familiarize them with knots, which are essential for setting up tents and tarps and a variety of other tasks.

Video Introduction

This video, titled "[Super Convenient] 3 Useful Rope Knots for Camping [Two Half-Hitches, Taut-Line Hitch, Bowline Knot]" (【超便利】キャンプで役立つロープの結び方3選【ツーハーフヒッチ・自在結び・もやい結び】), was uploaded by "MotoCamp" (MotoCamp【モトキャンプ】).

Useful Knots for Camping and Other Outdoor Activities and How to Tie Them

Photo：A knot

Knots are incredibly useful for camping and outdoor activities. They can be used to secure tents to stakes or even hang a tarp. Furthermore, ropes are also very useful for hanging small camping equipment and drying dishes.

However, if you just have a rope and don't actually learn how to tie knots, the rope is nothing more than a piece of rope. Therefore, learning how to tie knots is an important component of a comfortable camping trip or outdoor experience.

Unfortunately, learning how to tie knots can be a bit challenging for beginners. Therefore, in this article, we'll introduce three practical knots that even beginners can learn. They're useful for camping and outdoor activities, so take this opportunity to learn them!

How to Tie a Two-Half Hitch

Source :YouTube screenshot

The first knot we'll learn is the "Two-Half Hitch."
[Video] 0:20 - Two Half Hitch

This knot has three features:
・It's easy to tie
・It's relatively tight
・Useful for setting up tarps

Now, let's take a look at how to tie it. Be sure to follow along with the video to see an actual demonstration of how each knot is tied.
1. Take the short end of the rope and pass it under the long end and then pull the short end through the loop it creates.
2. Do the exact same thing directly below the first loop and then pull the short end of the rope upwards towards to first knot to tighten it.
3. Pull the long end of the rope tight and you're done!
The rope will now be securely fastened to the post. It's easy to untie this knot, so be sure to try it a few times to make sure you've got the hang of it.

How to Tie a Taut-Line Hitch

Source :YouTube screenshot

The second knot we'll talk about is the "Taut-Line Hitch."
[Video] 1:24 - Taut-Line Hitch

The features of this knot are as follows:
・The length of the rope can be easily adjusted.
・Convenient for securing stakes when setting up a tent.

Now let's take a look at how you tie a Taut-Line Hitch.
1. Once again, take the short end of the rope and pass it under the long end and then pull the short end through the loop it creates.
2. Again, just like the Two-Half Hitch, do the same thing below the first knot, except this time create some distance between the first and second knots.
3. Then, pass the shorter rope through the loop created between the two knots once more.
4. Tie another knot below the second knot.
Finally, tighten the rope and you're done. The rope doesn't wiggle when pulled, but the length can be adjusted by holding above the knot and pulling.

How to Tie a Bowline Knot

Source :YouTube screenshot

The final knot we'll go over is the "Bowline Knot."
[Video] 3:59 - Bowline Knot

The perks of this knot are:
・It's tight
・Convenient for securing ropes
It takes some practice, but it is one of the most important and basic knots, and is essential for enjoying outdoor activities and camping.

With that out of the way, let's learn how to tie a Bowline Knot.
1. Make a loop with the longer rope.
2. Below that loop, pinch the rope together and pass it through the loop you just made from the top.
3. Pass the end of the shorter rope through the loop sticking out of the other loop from underneath.
4. Pull the short long end away from the short end to form a knot.
This secures the knot and completes the Bowline Knot, which will not budge in the slightest. This knot is also called the "King of Knots." Because of its strength, this knot is frequently used not only for camping and outdoor activities, but also for mountain climbing, loading trucks, and even on construction sites. If you're employed in a field that uses knots, the Bowline Knot can be incredibly useful.

Summary of Essential Knots for Beginner-Level Outdoor Enthusiasts

Photo：Guy lines

There are many more knots than this. If you're serious about camping, mountain climbing, or any other outdoor activities, learning how to tie knots is important.
If you can learn how to tie knots, you'll be able to set up tarps, tents, and hammocks using trees and rocks even in places where the ground is too hard for stakes.
Knots can also be used to secure yourself to something in the event of a natural disaster, or to carry an injured or sick person to safety.

Finally, here are a few more important knots you can look up.
・The Figure-Eight Knot: A knot that won't come undone even if it's caught on something.
・The Clove Hitch: A knot that acts as a stopper when your rope is not long enough.
・The Butterfly Knot (Butterfly Loop): Convenient and practical for hanging something or for drying clothes.
・The Trucker's Hitch: which can be more strongly secured by tying a double knot.
All of these knots are useful for camping and outdoor activities.

If you try to learn too many at once, it may be difficult to remember how to tie them. We recommend by starting with the three knots shown in the video so that you can use them immediately in camping and outdoor situations. They may come in handy in unexpected situations!