Instructor Tutorial: How to Tie a Girth Hitch for Climbing
In this tutorial, Corey, an ACMG Apprentice Alpine Guide with Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures, demonstrates two uses for a girth hitch: attaching a personal anchor to a harness and placing a sling around a tree.
A girth hitch is formed by passing a loop through an attachment point or around an object, then feeding the remaining material through that loop and drawing it snug. The demonstration shows the basic movement, while the appropriate attachment method depends on the equipment and intended use.
Step 1: Confirm the Correct Harness Attachment Point
Before attaching a personal anchor, check the instructions for both the tether and your harness.
Corey demonstrates forming the girth hitch through his harness’s belay loop. The approved attachment point varies between products, so confirm the correct location and threading method for your own equipment.
Step 2: Form the Girth Hitch
For the attachment shown in the video, pass part of the attachment loop through the harness connection point.
Feed the remaining length of the personal anchor or sling through that opening. Draw the material through until the hitch closes around the attachment point.
Follow the specific threading instructions for the product you are using.
Step 3: Dress and Check the Hitch
Arrange the material neatly and draw the hitch snug against the attachment point.
Check that the hitch is fully formed, matches the demonstrated arrangement and has no unnecessary twists. Inspect the sling or tether and its connection before use.
Step 4: Understand the Tree Demonstration
Corey also demonstrates forming a girth hitch around a tree.
He wraps the sling around the trunk, passes one end of the loop through the other and draws the hitch snug.
Before using a tree as an anchor, assess the tree’s condition, rooting and stability, along with the complete anchor arrangement and intended loading. Protect the sling from damaging surfaces and avoid damaging the tree.
Final Check
Before using the connection, confirm that:
- The sling or personal anchor is suitable for the intended application.
- The harness attachment follows the instructions for both the harness and tether.
- The girth hitch is fully formed, neatly arranged and drawn snug.
- The sling or tether has been inspected for damage.
- Any tree used as an anchor, and the complete anchor setup, have been assessed for suitability.
Safety Note
Practise these techniques with a qualified climbing professional and follow your equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
When using a personal anchor, follow the product’s requirements for positioning and tension. Avoid slack that could allow a fall directly onto the sling or tether.
A tree-anchor setup requires an assessment of the tree and the complete system before it is used to support a climber.