Five knots cover ninety percent of the backcountry, and you can learn them by feel in an afternoon. The dark is where they pay off.

The five

Bowline for a fixed loop, taut-line for an adjustable one, clove hitch for a quick anchor, trucker's hitch for tension, and a couple of half hitches to finish. That's the set.

Learn by feel

Eyes closed, hands doing the work — that's the standard. When it's cold and dark and you're tired, your fingers will remember what your eyes can't see.

The test

Tie all five before bed, in the dark. If you can do it twice without looking, you own them.