What is an advantage of the tensionless hitch anchor?

• A. Only needs three carabiners to secure
• B. Increases stress on the rope
• C. Only reduces rope strength by 50%
• D. Maintains 100% rope strength

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is that a tensionless hitch anchor is designed to keep the rope’s exposure to friction and sharp bends as low as possible when the system is loaded. By guiding the load through the anchor with minimal resistance and avoiding harsh rope bends, the rope experiences less weakening from the anchor path. That’s why describing the advantage as maintaining the rope’s strength is most accurate—the setup aims to preserve as much of the rope’s strength as possible under load.

Other options don’t fit because the tensionless hitch isn’t defined by a fixed number of carabiners, it doesn’t inherently increase rope stress, and it doesn’t promise a specific percentage reduction in rope strength. Its primary benefit is reducing friction and sharp bending to keep the rope strength as high as feasible.