I don't believe anyone knows where the "diamond" hitch originated. William Russell was accurately painting it in the late 1800's, but it no doubt originated many years before that. There are many ways to tie it, and as far as I can see, they all achieve the same goal. Packers have argued for at least a century over which is better the diamond or some other hitch, such as the box hitch.
It is a simple hitch to learn, and will serve effectively on most loads. It requires about 40 ft. of rope, I prefer 1/2 inch cotton or spun nylon, and a 36 inch lash cinch which has a hook at one end.
Step 1. Loose end of the lash rope is placed parallel to the pack animals back with the end of the rope to the front and about a foot off the ground.
Step 2. Place lash cinch and rope around the pack and the barrel of the animal. Hook lash rope, with hook open to rear, and pull lash cinch back until the hook is just clearing the animals belly. Pull snug but not tight.
Step 3. Pass or toss the remainder of the lash rope across to the far side, keeping the loose rope to the right of the taught rope.
Step 5. Pull a fairly large loop using the loose end part of the rope through the small loop created in Step 4 (see stage 5). Now tighten the cinch until the taught rope is fairly tight (the ultimate size of the diamond depends on the amount of tension created). Next start pulling the slack out of the loose rope, follow the twists of the loose rope around the taught rope taking care not to drastically change the position of the twists in relation to the load.
HAPPY TRAILS!!
Click here to return to the BCHC home page.