Half Hitch as a Bowline Backtie

A half hitch is an overhand knot tied around departing cord. It's the simplest way to secure a bowline waist loop for critical uses like climbing.

Published Jul 22, 2010

Katie Herrel

Steve Howe

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Start with a snugged-up bowline tied belt-tight around the narrowest part of your body.

Take the free end and wrap it around a departing portion of the waist loop.

Insert the free end through the resulting loop – going AWAY from the knot.

Pull it tight.

CAUTION: Always look closely at the result. The bowline should be an obvious bight of rope “choked off” by a loop to the standing end – NOT a slipknot with backtie.