Do you know the "Porter's Hitch"?

[BOD]

I came across a refernece in an old 1970's mountaineering book to a quick release knot for Himalayan porters used with rope and sack/basket loads.

It was claimed to be a lifesaver to ditch a load before you fell into a ravine.

Anyone know what this might be?

 

[al21]

Could be a Tumble Hitch.

http://notableknotindex.webs.com/tumblehitch.html

Like a highwaymans hitch but is actually secure. I've often wondered about the origins of the name, this could be it.

Al

 

[Ben Trout]

Thanks for posting.

to quote from the link:

"The Highwayman's Hitch rightly draws the scorn of knot tyers, tending to capsize to the point where the draw loop no longer functions, or coming undone under strain or motion,"

I thought it was just me failing to tighten everything down properly. I shall have to play with the Tumble hitch.

 

[Walks with dogs]

You hum it and I'll see if it rings a bell.

 

[WeThePeoplexfbm]

hmmm it not in my old rigging book -_- bugger

 

[al21]

Thanks for posting.

to quote from the link:

"The Highwayman's Hitch rightly draws the scorn of knot tyers, tending to capsize to the point where the draw loop no longer functions, or coming undone under strain or motion,"

I thought it was just me failing to tighten everything down properly. I shall have to play with the Tumble hitch.

You're welcome Ben.

I recall some thirty plus years a go tying a highwayman's hitch to show my father this new knot I'd learnt, his comment; "very good, I wouldn't trust my weight on it though!"

Surely someone here has forked out for Ashley's and has the answer for us.

Al

 

[mountainm]

Hmm found this

[A porter's knot] consists of a strong fillet to encircle the head, attached to a curiously stuffed cushion of the width of the shoulders, whereon it rests, and is of height sufficient to bear thereon a box, or heavy load of any kind, which, by means of this knot, is carried on the head and shoulders; the weight thereof being borne equally by the various powers of the body capable of sustaining pressure, no muscles are distressed, but the whole are brought to the porter’s service in his labour of carrying.

here:
http://goldenrulejones.com/?p=953

 

[hoppinmad]

Hi
do a google search for Ashley Book of Knots, quite a few free pdf copies available
regards
stu

 

[trekkingnut]

couldnt even find it on my favorite website:http://www.animatedknots.com/knotlist.php?Categ=home&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
disappointed...

 

[al21]

Okay, quick google foo produces this:

So it looks like a padded ring made from a scarf/neckerchief to balance a load on your head.

Al

Edit to add: I hope this is what you want as you asked for a hitch, which technically should be tied to something.

 

[mountainm]

Okay, quick google foo produces this:

So it looks like a padded ring made from a scarf/neckerchief to balance a load on your head.

Al

Slightly different to the one I found (see my post) but along the same lines. I suspect it boils down to any knot/hitch/contrivance that a porter may have used to transport a load.

 

[al21]

Slightly different to the one I found (see my post) but along the same lines. I suspect it boils down to any knot/hitch/contrivance that a porter may have used to transport a load.

Sorry, I thought your post was describing a tumpline, kinda tricky with the ye olde englishe.

I suspect you're correct that a porters hitch/knot/strap covers numerous things.

Al

 

[BOD]

Hi and thanks for the interesting stuff.

I came across the reference in “Nanda Devi; The Tragic Expedition” by John Roskelley.

The passage:


“I was surprised to see the porters carry the heavy loads as if they were backpacks. Instead of soft foam padded shoulder straps, they used quarter-inch manila rope or a long narrow strip of cotton. A knot called a ‘porter hitch’ which could be pulled to release the load quickly in an emergency, was tied last under the armpit…..I was to appreciate this safety measure because the porters were in constant danger of deadly falls in steep terrain”.

So far the tumble hitch seems to be the only thing that might be it, though I have no idea how the ropes would be led across the body.