Italian Hitch

**Segiy** · 03-03-2010, 08:15

I went to try and get some rings from the closest thing we have to a rock climbing store in my city (small city... small state... Tasmania at the bottom of AUS), they didn't have any but when I explained why I wanted them for he said that he had a hammock and what he recommended doing was a italian hitch, seemed pretty simple i tested by quickly stinging the rainfly up with the method when i got home and was very quick and easy.

Did a quick search of the forum and couldn't find any mention of it, has anyone else heard of it or see any issue why i should or shouldn't use it for suspending the actually hammock (or the rainfly if it's bad...).

Also a quick question, logic and ease told me I may as well hook the larger rain fly I have straight to the carabiners that are on the tree huggers, any issues with this? seemed easier that making a 2nd tie point.

Thanks,
Geoff.

**Hawk-eye** · 03-03-2010, 08:26

Never used it except in climbing ... but here's a link to a how-to-tie for the Italian Hitch ... if you're going to try to use that ... I'd follow it with a couple half hitches to be safe.

**Frawg** · 03-03-2010, 08:27

AKA Munter hitch? From what I've read it's a slipping knot, used for belaying. I wouldn't trust it to secure a hammock or a tarp,

$.02

**Hawk-eye** · 03-03-2010, 08:29

Originally Posted by Frawg

AKA Munter hitch? From what I've read it's a slipping knot, used for belaying. I wouldn't trust it to secure a hammock or a tarp,

$.02

That's exactly what it's intended purpose is ... so you have to lock it down with either another loop and a couple half hitches. Not sure I'd use it for a hammock myself

**Ramblinrev** · 03-03-2010, 08:30

Originally Posted by Segiy

Also a quick question, logic and ease told me I may as well hook the larger rain fly I have straight to the carabiners that are on the tree huggers, any issues with this? seemed easier that making a 2nd tie point.

Thanks,
Geoff.

That presumes the hammock is already hung in which case I see no problem as long as there is sufficient sag to the hammock. But the reason I tie my tarp at a "second tie point" is so I can hang the tarp first thing and work under it if the weather is nasty. The 2nd tie point also allows more flexibility in how high you hang the tarp. Nice to have it high for hot weather to imporve circulation but in nasty or cold weather it is preferable to hunker it right down to the hammock.

**Frawg** · 03-03-2010, 08:33

Originally Posted by Segiy

Also a quick question, logic and ease told me I may as well hook the larger rain fly I have straight to the carabiners that are on the tree huggers, any issues with this? seemed easier that making a 2nd tie point.

Geoff, I do something similar with a marlinspike equivalent at the tree hugger. Both my hammock suspension and my tarp line loop around the toggle. No problems as long as the toggle (carabiner in your case) is very close to the tree. Otherwise, when you get in the hammock the tarp line tension will decrease and the tarp will lower a bit.

**Segiy** · 03-03-2010, 08:39

Thanks for the responses everyone, I thought it sounded a bit odd when the guy was mentioning it and I had never seen it mentioned here

**Hawk-eye** · 03-03-2010, 08:53

Originally Posted by Segiy

Thanks for the responses everyone, I thought it sounded a bit odd when the guy was mentioning it and I had never seen it mentioned here

Hey ... don't be afraid to bring anything to the table ... kinda how whoopee slings came to be. New people new ideas ... all good

**Frawg** · 03-03-2010, 09:02

Originally Posted by Hawk-eye

That's exactly what it's intended purpose is ... so you have to lock it down with either another loop and a couple half hitches. Not sure I'd use it for a hammock myself

That just gave me an idea. I use paracord tieout loops on my tarp and have been using a sheet bend / becket hitch to secure the end lines. It's hard to tie with the ridge lines under tension, though. A munter secured with a tautline hitch might work instead.

Thanks, Michael!

**Hawk-eye** · 03-03-2010, 09:03

Originally Posted by Frawg

That just gave me an idea. I use paracord tieout loops on my tarp and have been using a sheet bend / becket hitch to secure the end lines. It's hard to tie with the ridge lines under tension, though. A munter secured with a tautline hitch might work instead.

Thanks, Michael!

Dang good idea Frawg ... might give that a play myself!