Key takeaways
- The girth hitch attaches a sling/loop around an object by passing it through itself.
- Common uses: girth-hitching a sling to a harness, tree, or another sling.
- It's fast and simple but weakens the sling somewhat at the hitch.
- Dress it neatly and avoid configurations that cross or sharply load the material.
What the girth hitch is
The girth hitch (also called a lark’s foot or cow hitch) is a simple knot for attaching a sling or loop of cord around an object. You pass the loop around the object and thread one end through the other, cinching it tight. It needs no extra hardware, which is what makes it so quick and handy.
Common uses
- Girth-hitching a sling to your harness for a personal tether.
- Attaching a sling around a tree, chockstone, or thread as part of an anchor.
- Extending a piece of protection.
Reaching a tree at the top of a pitch, a climber girth-hitches a sling around the trunk to build a quick anchor — passing the loop around the tree and back through itself, dressing it neatly so the strands don’t cross.
Cautions
A girth hitch reduces the sling’s strength at the hitch because of the sharp bends, and a crossed, poorly dressed hitch is weaker still. For everyday uses it’s strong enough, but climbers avoid relying on it where very high or shock loading over a sharp edge is a concern, choosing other connections (like a clove hitch or a carabiner) there instead.
The bottom line
The girth hitch is the climber's quick, hardware-free way to cinch a sling around a harness, tree, or piece of gear. It's simple and handy, but it does reduce the sling's strength at the hitch, so dress it neatly and use it appropriately — reserving stronger connections for situations involving sharp edges or very high loads.
Frequently asked questions
What is a girth hitch used for in climbing?
A girth hitch is used to quickly attach a sling or loop of cord around something — for example, girth-hitching a sling to your harness for a personal tether, attaching a sling to a tree or chockstone for an anchor, or extending a piece of protection. It's valued for being fast and requiring no extra hardware.
How do you tie a girth hitch?
Pass the sling (a closed loop) around the object, then thread one end of the loop through the other and pull it snug, so the sling cinches around the object. It's the same knot known as a lark's foot or cow hitch. Dressing it neatly so the strands don't cross matters for strength.
Does a girth hitch weaken a sling?
Yes, somewhat — the sharp bends at the hitch reduce the sling's overall strength compared to a straight pull, and a poorly dressed (crossed) hitch is weaker still. For typical climbing uses it's strong enough, but climbers avoid relying on a girth hitch where very high or shock loading over a sharp edge is a concern, choosing other connections there.
Sources
- Climbing knots & slings — American Alpine Club
- Knots & rope work — The Mountaineers