How to Tie a Clove Hitch for Climbing: Steps, Uses and Mistakes

What a clove hitch is and why climbers like it

A clove hitch is made from two loops of rope laid one over the other around an object, in this case usually a carabiner. Friction between the rope and the carabiner holds it in place, yet you can slide the rope through the hitch to adjust it when it is not loaded. That adjustability is what makes it popular for personal tie-ins to an anchor, because you can set your distance from the anchor precisely without untying anything.

It is also very fast. Experienced climbers can tie a clove hitch with one hand while the other hand holds the wall, which matters at a hanging belay or when you are sorting out a messy anchor. The trade-off is that it holds by friction alone, so it needs a properly shaped locking carabiner and a clean rope path to work as intended.

Common places climbers use it

The best-known use is attaching yourself to an anchor at a multipitch belay station. You clip a locking carabiner to the anchor, tie a clove hitch in the rope near you, and clip it to the carabiner. Because the rope runs from your harness to the hitch, you can lengthen or shorten your position by feeding rope through the knot. Many guidebooks and instructors teach this as a standard way to connect to an anchor.

Climbers also use clove hitches to secure a rope to a single anchor point while building a setup, to hold a pack or tool temporarily, and in some rescue and anchor-building systems. In each case the climber should think about what would happen if the hitch were loaded in a direction it was not designed for, and avoid relying on it for anything unusual unless trained to.

How to tie it on a locking carabiner

Hold the rope in both hands with a short bight in each, then make a loop with one hand so that the rope end faces away from you. Make a second loop the same way, so the two loops are stacked like a pair of ears. Place the second loop over the first, and then clip both loops into the carabiner together. Pull the two rope strands in opposite directions to tighten.

A quick check is that the two strands leaving the carabiner should run on the same side of the gate, and each strand should sit against the spine of the carabiner rather than over the gate. If the knot looks tangled, or the rope crosses itself in a way that does not match the pattern you were taught, untie it and start again. Close and lock the carabiner gate, then look at it from the side.

Mistakes that make it unreliable

The most common mistake is tying a hitch that looks right but sits on the wrong side of the carabiner, so that the rope can ride against the gate and unlock it or open it under load. Another is using a non-locking carabiner or a carabiner whose shape allows the hitch to roll. Narrow, pear-shaped or oval carabiners can behave differently from large pear shapes, so follow the manufacturer's guidance and your instructor's advice.

Climbers also forget that a clove hitch can loosen when it is slack and jostled, especially in stiff or very slippery ropes. Check it after any movement, and again before you put weight on it. Also, never use a clove hitch as your only attachment when you cannot see how it is oriented. A second set of eyes from a partner is a cheap safety layer.

Checking the hitch before you trust it

A good habit is a three-point check. First, are both strands of rope exiting the carabiner on the correct sides and not twisted over the gate? Second, is the carabiner locked and oriented so the gate is not loaded? Third, does the hitch grip when you tug the climbing strand, rather than sliding freely? If the answer to any of these is no, retie it.

Partner checks are standard practice at multipitch stations. Say what you see out loud, and have your partner confirm. A short, calm checking ritual beats rushing, and it also helps beginners build the muscle memory they need when they are tired or cold.

Learning it properly

Reading a description is not the same as learning a knot. Practice on the ground with a short rope and a carabiner until you can tie it without looking, then practice at a low anchor where a mistake costs nothing. A certified guide or an instructor at your local gym or club can show you the exact variants used in your area and correct small errors you cannot see yourself.

Keep in mind that techniques differ between regions and between disciplines, and that standards change. If a guidebook, a course and this article disagree, trust the instructor who can watch you tie the knot and ask questions, and follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions for the gear you own.

Browse locking carabiners →