OCFA Ropes and Knots Practice Test

The key idea is that a Münter hitch is a friction hitch that uses a carabiner to grip the rope and control its movement. By routing the rope around the carabiner in a specific way, the carabiner’s surface creates friction that resists sliding. When you hold or pull the free end, you increase that friction to slow descent or stop movement; easing off reduces the grip so rope can slide more freely. This setup lets you belay or lower without a dedicated belay device. It does not involve a pulley system, it doesn’t eliminate friction, and it doesn’t make the rope lighter.