Icicle Hitch
Description
A highly secure friction hitch that can hold a load on a smooth, tapered surface such as an icicle or fishing rod. The rope is wrapped in a tapered spiral and locked with a half hitch.
Common Uses
Securing a line to a smooth tapered object, hoisting fishing rods, securing tools with smooth handles.
When to Choose This Knot
Choose this knot when fastening rope to an object, spar, rail, post, ring, or another rope. Hitches depend heavily on friction and the shape of the object they wrap around.
Safety Notes
- Test the hitch under controlled load before relying on it.
- Avoid sharp edges and smooth surfaces that can let the hitch roll or slide.
- Use extra turns, backups, or a different hitch if the load may cycle or change direction.
How to Tie
- 1Begin with a half hitch loosely around the object near the thick end.
- 2Continue wrapping the rope around the object in a spiral, moving toward the thin end.
- 3Each wrap should be tight against the previous one, creating a tapered wrap.
- 4Finish with a half hitch at the thin end to lock the wraps.
Common Mistakes
- Tying around an object that is too smooth, tapered, or unstable.
- Loading the hitch before the wraps are snug and aligned.
- Forgetting that many hitches release quickly when the load direction changes.