The Evenk knot, also known as the Siberian hitch, is a great knot for putting up a tarp or hammock and has the great advantage of being able to be tied whilst wearing gloves. I use the Evenk knot to give a fixed point on one end of my ridgeline. On the other end of the ridge line I tie an taut line hitch. Also take a look at this post showing the midshipman’s hitch.
Step 1
Take the working end of the cord around a tree from left to right.
Step 2
Lay the cord on your left hand. I find that the starting position of my left hand makes a difference, I crank it over a little at the wrist to the right.
Step 3
Wrap the working end of the cord around your left hand once.
Step 4
Rotate your left hand anti-clockwise about your wrist so that the loop you’ve just made passes under the standing end.
Step 5
Put your thumb through the loop running around your hand.
Step 6
Grasp the working end with your thumb and index finger.
Step 7
Pull through a loop to make the knot a quick release one.
Step 8
Pull the loop tight.
Step 9
And push the knot into the tree. Sometimes at this stage I’ll put a stick through the loop so that it can’t be undone by mistake (or by a mischievous friend!).
Putting up tarps and hammocks, and teaching the Evenk knot, is something we do on both our 2 Day Bushcraft Course and 5 Day Bushcraft Course. It really is a fantastic way to camp out in the woods, really helps with ‘leave no trace’, is quick to put up and comfortable to boot. Often students try out tarps and hammocks after learning how to put them up and become avid fans!
You can see photos from those courses, as well as all of our others, on our Facebook page.
