What is a friction hitch and which examples are commonly used?

• A. A device that moves along the rope to create friction; examples: carabiner and pulley.
• B. A knot that ties two rope ends together.
• C. A friction hitch is a knot that grips a rope by friction; examples: Prusik knot and Klemheist knot.
• D. A knot used to form an anchor without friction.

Answer: (C)

Friction hitch means a knot that grips the rope by friction. It is designed to slide along the rope when you move it freely, but once a load is applied, the friction increases and the knot clamps down, preventing slipping. This makes friction hitches ideal for tasks like rope ascents or securing a line where you need to adjust position but hold fast under tension. Classic examples are the Prusik knot and the Klemheist knot. Both use a short loop or wrap around the main rope with a smaller-diameter cord, and the wraps bite into the rope as load increases, tightening the grip. When you release the load, you can slide the hitch to a new spot. In contrast, a carabiner or pulley is a metal device, not a knot; tying two rope ends together is a bend, not a friction hitch; and an anchor knot used without friction doesn’t rely on gripping the rope under tension.