FIRST CLASS SCOUT

CLOVE HITCH

Clove comes from the word cleave, meaning , "to split," and is used to describe the clove hitch because it is split into two parts in the same way that the foot of a sheep or deer is split into two parts. 1 Form the first half hitch of the clove hitch by taking a bight (loop) around the pole and then across itself. Form the second half hitch of the clove hitch by taking a second bight around the pole and tucking the end of the rope under the rope between the two loops. When pulled tight, the clove hitch should look like an X. The difference between a clove hitch and two half hitches is that a clove hitch is tied around an object and two half hitches are tied around the rope's own standing part. An alternative way of tying a clove hitch is to make an overhand loop in the rope. Then make a second overhand loop next to the first loop. Next, without turning over either loop, place the first loop on top of the second loop. Finally, place the two loops over the end of a pole or around the neck of a bear bag and pull tight. For more on hear bags, see page 263.