In this tutorial, Corey from Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures, an ACMG apprentice guide, demonstrates how to tie a Munter hitch.
A Munter hitch creates friction as a rope runs through a suitable locking carabiner. It is used for rope control in belaying and lowering, making it a useful technique to learn as you develop your climbing skills.
This tutorial focuses on forming the hitch, clipping it into a carabiner and checking its movement. Corey highlights the position of the working strand and the direction in which the bight passes behind the rope.
Step 1: Start with a Flat Section of Rope
Begin with a flat, untangled section of rope so you can clearly see the strands as you work.
Keep enough rope available to form the loop and bight without pulling everything tight too early. Following the rope’s path carefully will help you recognise the finished hitch.
Step 2: Create the First Loop
Form a loop in the rope.
In the orientation Corey uses in the video, the strand he is working with sits across the front of the loop. Pay attention to this crossing point before moving to the next step.
Use the demonstration as your reference so the position of the working strand stays consistent as you form the hitch.
Step 3: Push a Bight Behind the Rope
Create a bight—a folded section of rope—and push it behind the rope as demonstrated.
The direction matters in this sequence. Corey points out that bringing the bight in front will not produce the hitch he is showing.
Keep the strands organised so you can follow the rope’s path and recognise the Munter hitch before clipping it into the carabiner.
Step 4: Clip the Hitch into a Locking Carabiner
Clip a suitable pear-shaped locking carabiner, often called an HMS carabiner, into the formed hitch, following the placement shown in the video.
Close and lock the gate, then check that the hitch sits correctly within the carabiner.
Check the rope’s orientation as well. The brake strand should run clear of the gate and locking sleeve so that moving rope does not rub against the locking mechanism.
Final Check
Corey finishes by demonstrating movement of the hitch within the carabiner.
During practice, check the rope’s movement while maintaining control of the brake strand. Check the hitch’s formation and orientation as well as how it moves.
Before relying on the setup, confirm that:
- The rope follows the Munter hitch pattern demonstrated in the video.
- The complete hitch is correctly captured by the carabiner.
- The carabiner gate is closed and locked.
- The brake strand runs clear of the gate and locking sleeve.
- You understand how to maintain control of the brake strand.
Have a qualified instructor check your hitch and rope-handling technique before using it independently.
Safety Note: A Munter hitch requires continuous brake-strand control when managing a load. This written guide is a companion to the video and is not a substitute for hands-on instruction from a qualified climbing professional.