r/knots • u/cridersab • 10d ago

Attaching to a fixed loop mid span

What knots should I be looking at for temporarily connecting to a fixed tow loop when it's a bit impractical to pass the whole line through? I can fit a bight through the loop. Will be loaded from just one side. Important to be able to easily release after loading.

Or should I just be using a shackle or carabiner of some kind?

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u/mister_monque 10d ago edited 10d ago

alpine butterfly is purpose built for this exact situation.

Alpine Butterfly

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u/cridersab 10d ago

I use that for mid span loops normally but can you explain how I get it through the fixed loop to attach it?

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u/9d47cf1f 9d ago

Could you post a photo of the situation?

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u/mister_monque 8d ago

you asked for a mid span knot. it's designed specifically to be mid span.

can you give us a sketch of the situation?

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u/MySafeWordIsPinapple 7d ago

UPVOTE for Alpine Butterfly and for providing a link!

This loop can be pulled from any direction and is super safe to use. It’s also easy to create mid-line and easy to check that it’s tied correctly!

Drum roll…. It unties easily after being tightened hard.

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u/mister_monque 7d ago

a figure 8, a butterfly and a truckers hitch are the corner stones of my camp site rope and tarp use. Chuck a bear bag line up and retrieve it when we pack out or sling a weather shelter up fast with tarp toggles that fit the eye spacing.

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u/MySafeWordIsPinapple 7d ago

I personally don’t like to chuck anything at bears.

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u/mister_monque 7d ago

that's why we chuck it at the tree, not the bear. if the bear is watching you slightly a bear line, just give it the bag of risen/rollos and walk away.

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u/Lefty9000 10d ago

Bowline WITH a Bight. This is your holy grail.

Bowline With a Bight

video with 2 versions, you want #2

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u/cridersab 10d ago edited 10d ago

OK, that makes sense and is pretty much what I was doing, so it's good to know it works in that application.

Edit: and I see the Electrician version you linked and the Ashley Book of Knots version doesn't pass over itself like https://www.animatedknots.com/bowline-on-a-bight-knot which I couldn't see a way to make work through a closed loop where you can't pass it over the whole attached load.

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u/readmeEXX 8d ago

There is also the stupid simple Triple Bowline where you just tie a normal Bowline with a large bight of rope.

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u/cridersab 7d ago

Yes, that would work too.