Yale Beeline 8mm Hitch Cord, Black

Yale Beeline 8mm is a hitch cord that tree climbers use to tie friction hitches like the Valdotain Tresse and Distel on their climbing line. Sold by the foot in black, it lets you cut exactly the length you need for a split tail, eye-to-eye or prusik.

Why climbers tie with Beeline

A friction hitch is only as good as the cord it is tied with. Beeline is made to grab your climbing line under load, release cleanly when you break the hitch, and handle the heat a fast descent puts into the cord. At 8mm it suits most 11 to 13 mm climbing lines, though the right match depends on your rope's sheath and stiffness.

Buying by the foot means you can cut lengths for a Valdotain, a Distel, a footlock prusik or a spare, and finish the ends with stopper knots or have eyes spliced.

Black hides dirt and pitch better than bright colors, which some climbers like, though it can make wear harder to see, so inspect it closely.

Setting it up safely

Always test a new hitch cord and rope pairing close to the ground. Too much grip and the hitch is jerky; too little and it creeps. Adjust wraps and braids until it feels right, and dress and set the hitch every time.

Hitch cord is life-support gear and a wear item. Use it only as part of a system that meets ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions, inspect it before every use, and get trained before you rely on it. Replace it when it glazes, stiffens, fuzzes heavily or shows any cuts. Browse other cords in our tech cordage section.

Keep spare cord in your kit so you can retie on the job if a hitch starts to glaze or behave differently.