The Munter or Italian Hitch - A Meditation

Use this section to meditate and learn the munter hitch on a deeper level.

Take the time to dwell with these illustrations.  You'll improve your visual perception of the spatial arrangement.

Also reflect on the shapes as programmable code or notes in music.  It begins with bight, loop and elbow.  It concludes with capturing the knot in a specific way.

In the next illustration, look at making the munter from a different perspective.  Note how the carabiner captures the elbow.  Would this be the surest path for tying the munter hitch?  When using it in a rappel, you want it tied correctly each and every time.

Here's the one handed munter hitch.

Here's the description for the above sequence.  First, take a look at the reference hand to categorize the motions.

Place a bight of rope on the 2-axis (a.k.a. small finger).  Rotate the hand on the 2-axis in the direction that the palm points.  This places the rope across the hand; the thumb now points down.  Next close 1-gate.  This captures one strand of rope.  Reverse the rotation with the hand closed (a fist with the small finger sticking out).  Note that the 2-axis remains fixed through all of this motion.  Hold the 2-axis or small figure steady in space - as a training tool.

At this point, you're holding a loop.  That loop encircles the middle three fingers or 1-axis.  Next bend your wrist to pick-up the strand that runs out the back of your hand.  Return to the previous position.  The 1-axis is the capture point for the carabiner.  When you replace the 1-axis with your carabiner, you have a munter hitch.

Here's the one handed munter video version: http://youtu.be/wPWHIfvDT2s