MANUAL OF PACK TEANSPOKTATION. 97 



Proceed to take in slack in the usual manner. After pulling taut, 

 as shown in fig. 26, bring the hands toward the aparejo quickly 

 and grasp both ropes, i. e., the standing as well as the running rope, 

 and, holding both ropes with left hand, receive the slack above the 

 bight, as caught under the standing rope. Take a second and sim- 

 ilar pull and receive the slack above the bight as before and pass to 

 the near side. Note. — Bringing the running rope between the stand- 

 ing rope and the pack forms a holdfast and retains the slack as taken 

 above the bight. 



Take the running rope from under the standing rope on "near" 

 side, should it be there, and draw in all slack. Then bring the run- 

 ning rope under the standing rope as before. (Fig. 27.) 



The taking of slack should be repeated until all is rendered. In 

 the completion of the hitch, pass from near to off side, as necessary, 

 taking up all the slack until the hitch is completed. 



HOW TO FORM THE POLE HITCH. 



Sec. 37. For this purpose a lash rope without cincha, or two sling 

 or lair ropes joined together, may be used for the purpose. 



The near packer takes a lash rope and removes cincha and passes 

 one-half of rope over the load to the "off" packer. Each packer 

 takes hold of rope with the right hand, with the arm extended 

 downward, raises the rope, causing it to rest on the left arm, and 

 reaches for the standing rope at pack with left hand. Now bring 

 the right hand, holding rope, to and above the left hand, allow- 

 ing the free end to drop downward, and part the hands, bringing each 

 rope over the upper corners of side packs and the loop portion under 

 the boots of the aparejo. 



Pass each end over the load to the opposite side, the "off" packer 

 bringing his end under the standing rope at center of pack, waits 

 for the word "Go," and the hitch is formed, ready to tighten. (Figs. 

 46-47.) Also figs. 72, 73, 74. 



The near packer, to tighten the load, holds the end of rope passed 

 by the "off" packer over the load, and placing the left hand as a 

 brace against the pack, calls out "Go." 



The off packer will pull the slack on the running rope in the usual 

 manner and call out " Tie." 



The near packer brings the rope under the bight of the standing 

 rope, immediately takes hold of the running rope at center of boot, 

 and waits for the call of "Go" from the "oft" packer, who frees 

 the end of rope from under the .jight and proceeds to take in slack 

 in similar manner, each packer securing the end of rope as in comple- 

 tion of the "diamond" hitch or as convenience may dictate. (Figs. 

 48-49.) 



The pole hitch is the formation of a half hitch over each side pack; 

 no portion of the rope passes under the belly of the animal, distin- 

 guishing it from all other forms of hitches. While it compresses 

 the load to extreme tightness, it afll'ords no tightening of the aiaarejo 

 to the body of the animal, a necessary qualification when climbing a 

 mountain, or, in other words, the load may be compressed, while the 

 aparejo may be loose on the animal. It should never be used when a 

 lash rope is available. It may be used for packing odds and ends 

 after cargo is loaded and a loose animal is available, and when pressed 



75927°— 17 7 



