How to Tie a Blake's Hitch Knot: 3 Ways to Use Blake’s Hitch

Blake’s hitch is a simple friction hitch knot frequently used in tree climbing and caving during a slow, steady ascent (or, occasionally, descents). It uses the end of a rope rather than a loop or the middle. As a friction hitch, it holds fast to the rope it’s tied to when supporting a load, but if the climber releases the tension, they can easily slide the knot up or down the rope to continue their ascent or descent. Blake’s hitch is a popular knot because it maintains uniform friction and isn’t prone to binding.

Other common friction-based climbing hitches include the Prusik knot (or Prusik loop) and Klemheist knot (both use a loop rather than the end of a rope), the taut-line hitch (similar to Blake’s hitch but prone to binding), and the Bachmann hitch (which uses a carabiner). Other arborist knots include the alpine butterfly, the clove hitch, and the double fisherman’s knot.

The origin of Blake’s hitch stems from 1981:

• First described in 1981. In 1981, climber Heinz Prohaska published the first-known description of the knot in an Austrian guidebook.
• Presented in a caving journal. In 1990, Prohaska published another description of the knot in the caving journal Nylon Highway.
• The name is coined. In 1994, arborist Jason Blake separately created the knot, eventually publishing his discovery in a letter to tree-climbing magazine Arbor Age. Through this publication, the knot became widely recognized and used, eventually taking on the name “Blake’s hitch” in honor of Jason Blake.

Blake’s hitch is a useful knot that climbers can employ in a wide range of climbing systems and situations:

1. 1. Tree climbing: The most common use of Blake’s hitch is by arborists and other tree climbers, who use it to slowly make their way up trees using the friction power of the knot.
2. 2. Slow caving or rock climbing: Cavers who want to make slow ascents or descents sometimes use Blake’s hitch as their friction hitch of choice—however, it’s not advised as a climbing knot for faster climbs or rappels.
3. 3. Other slow ascents or descents: Anytime a climber wants to make a slow, steady ascent or descent, they can implement Blake’s knot since they can remain anchored with friction until they release the tension and slide the knot either up or down.

Even though Blake’s hitch is a stable knot, most climbers tie a stopper knot on the rope’s working end for additional safety. Common stopper knots include:

• A figure-eight knot: The figure-eight knot, also known as the figure-of-eight-knot, is the most common stopper knot for Blake’s hitch, simply looping over itself in the shape of the number eight.
• A double overhand: The double overhand is made by forming a loop in the rope and passing the end through it twice.
• A bowline: Arborists may use a bowline knot at the end of Blake’s hitch to secure their line to a second rope that goes up higher, making the setup self-tending.
  
• A second Blake’s hitch: Arborists sometimes tie a second Blake’s hitch at the working end of their first Blake’s hitch to secure their line to a second rope and make the setup self-advancing.

Here’s how to tie Blake’s hitch:

1. 1. Anchor a climbing rope to a point above you. Blake’s hitch is a friction knot that secures itself to a preexisting line, so before you tie the knot, you’ll need to have a secure climbing rope already in place. A common tactic is to use a throwball and throwline to establish the first single rope.
2. 2. Close your left fist around the climbing rope. An easy way to tie Blake's hitch is to use your left hand as a guide. First, make a fist around the climbing rope, with your left thumb pointing upward and parallel to the climbing rope.
3. 3. Pass the working end over your thumb. Then, beginning with a second rope, bring it from left to right, passing it in front of your fist.
4. 4. Pass the working end behind the rope. Now pass the free end (called the working end) behind the rope and your fist, forming a loop around your thumb with two passes of the working rope.
5. 5. Repeat twice more. Repeat the process, looping the working end of the rope back over and behind the climbing line. There is no need to keep these loops around your thumb; simply let them loop around the climbing rope directly above your hand. After this process, your working rope should pass over your climbing rope four times—twice over your thumb and twice above your hand on the rope. The working end of the rope should be behind and on the left side of your climbing rope.
6. 6. Gently remove your left hand. Release the rope with your left hand, maintaining the gap between the loops that were on your thumb and those that were on the rope.
7. 7. Pass the working end over the standing end. Then, take the working end on the left-hand side and bring it to the right, over the standing line of the rope and underneath the climbing rope.
8. 8. Bring the working end up through two loops. Next, take the working end and pass it upward through the two loops you made over your thumb.
9. 9. Pull and dress it. Pull the working end to tighten the knot, then tug on each piece of the knot to dress it up and make sure it’s the right shape.
10. 10. Finish with a stopper knot (optional). If you’re concerned about the end of the rope slipping back through your knot, feel free to tie a stopper knot on the end of the line, like a figure-eight or double overhand. Some climbers will also install a micro pulley underneath the knot to help with slack.

Climbing is a high-impact activity with an elevated risk of serious injury. Practice, proper guidance, and extensive safety precautions are essential when attempting a climbing pursuit. This article is only for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional instruction or guidance.

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