What is the Cow Hitch – Loops Method used for?

Attaching climbing slings (sewn or tied webbing loops) to a carabiner or anchor point; Fixing a loop to a bar or tie-back in tree climbing and work at height; Hanging hammocks and nets with webbing loops; Attaching keychains and lanyards to rings; Joining a bight of rope to a ring without access to either end.

How do you tie the Cow Hitch – Loops Method?

The Cow Hitch tied with loops attaches a loop of webbing or rope to a ring, bar, or carabiner by folding the bight itself and passing it back through its own loop. It's the most common way to clip tubular webbing in mountaineering and tree climbing, done in seconds without needing a free end. Follow the illustrated step-by-step, with a photo for every stage, on Desbravai.

Is the Cow Hitch – Loops Method hard to tie?

The Cow Hitch – Loops Method is rated easy, in the Hitches category and is taught with a photo at every stage on Desbravai.

What precautions apply when using the Cow Hitch – Loops Method?

With webbing, the cow hitch reduces the material's strength at the fold; for critical loads prefer a direct anchor with a carabiner; Check that the bight is properly threaded back through itself so it doesn't open under load.

Cow Hitch – Loops Method

Q: What other names does the Cow Hitch – Loops Method have?

It is also known as Cow Hitch – Loops Method, Cow Hitch, Lark's Head, Girth Hitch, Ring Hitch, Lanyard Hitch, Nudo de alondra, Cabeza de alondra. (ABOK #1673)

Attaches a loop of webbing or rope to a ring or bar by folding the bight through, widely used with climbing slings

Also called: Cow Hitch – Loops Method, Cow Hitch, Lark's Head, Girth Hitch, Ring Hitch, Lanyard Hitch, Nudo de alondra, Cabeza de alondra · ABOK #1673

What it is for

Attaching climbing slings (sewn or tied webbing loops) to a carabiner or anchor point
Fixing a loop to a bar or tie-back in tree climbing and work at height
Hanging hammocks and nets with webbing loops
Attaching keychains and lanyards to rings
Joining a bight of rope to a ring without access to either end