| Does | Belay/lower without a device |
| Tied on | A pear-shaped locking carabiner |
| Drawback | Twists the rope |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
Named after Swiss mountain guide Werner Munter.
The munter hitch, or Italian hitch, is a friction hitch tied directly on a locking carabiner that can belay or lower a climber without a belay device. It works by feeding rope through a reversing hitch, making it the standard backup if a device is dropped. Its main drawback is that it tends to twist the rope.
How it works
The hitch flips back and forth on a pear-shaped HMS carabiner as you take in or pay out, giving enough friction to belay or lower.
When to use it
Mainly as an emergency backup and a self-rescue skill — every climber should know it. It pairs conceptually with the clove hitch, often tied on the same carabiner.
Watch the twists
It kinks the rope, so it’s a backup rather than a daily method. See all climbing knots.
Frequently asked questions
What is a munter hitch used for?
It lets you belay, lower, or rappel using only a locking carabiner when you don't have a belay device — most often as an emergency backup if a device is dropped. It's a core self-rescue skill every climber should know.
Can you belay with a munter hitch?
Yes — the munter provides enough friction to hold and lower a climber, and reverses smoothly as you switch between taking in and paying out rope. It's best on a pear-shaped (HMS) locking carabiner, which lets the hitch flip without jamming.
Does the munter hitch twist the rope?
Yes, it's prone to twisting the rope, which is its main downside. Keeping the brake strand parallel to the load strand and managing the rope reduces kinking, but the munter is generally used as a backup rather than an everyday belay method.
Sources
- Belaying methods — American Alpine Club