Pile Hitch

Pile Hitch
Preparing the rope…

Start with a bight

1/8

Fold the rope beside a post with a free top.

Boating · 8 steps

Attach doubled rope to a post by carrying its closed bight over the top.

A pile hitch can be made without threading a free rope end. Take a doubled section around the post and beneath the standing pair, then lift the bight over the post’s accessible top. Lower it behind the post to complete the hitch.

The lift is part of the tying route, not a decorative movement. A post with an inaccessible end needs a different method or a different attachment. The animation keeps the post fixed and carries the whole closed fold above it before lowering the collar.

When to use it

  • Make a temporary attachment to a post with an accessible top.
  • Practice tying around a support with a bight.

Keep in mind

An unloaded hitch can lift off a short or unsuitable post. Check the support, direction of pull and risk of the loop being lifted.

Check your knot

  • The doubled section passes beneath the standing parts.
  • The complete bight clears the top of the post.
  • The lowered collar surrounds the post without a twist.
How to tie Pile Hitch
  1. Start with a bight

    Fold the rope beside a post with a free top.

  2. Go around the post

    Carry the closed bight behind and around the post.

  3. Pass under the standing parts

    Bring the folded end under both standing strands.

  4. Open the bight

    Keep the fold closed and make room to pass it over the top.

  5. Lift above the post

    Raise the whole bight above the post’s end.

  6. Carry it over the top

    Move the open bight across the top to the far side.

  7. Lower and dress the hitch

    Lower the bight behind the post and draw on the standing pair.

  8. Seat the collar

    Draw the doubled standing parts away from the post to gather the wraps and collar against it.

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References & further reading