The highpoint hitch is a type of knot

Knot

A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. It may consist of a length of one or several segments of rope, string, webbing, twine, strap, or even chain interwoven such that the line can bind to itself or to some other object—the "load"...

. The main feature of the hitch is that it is very secure, yet if tied as a slipped knot it can be released quickly and easily with one pull, even after heavy loading. The highpoint hitch is a Buntline hitch

Buntline hitch

The buntline hitch is a knot used for attaching a rope to an object. It is formed by looping the rope around an object, then making a clove hitch around the rope's standing part, taking care to tie the two half-hitches that compose the clove hitch in the direction of the object, rather than away...

with an extra half turn, making it more secure.

Security

The highpoint hitch is very secure, since any load will tighten the turns against each other, at the same time tightening the grip on the working end.

Releasing

To release the slipped version of this knot, pull the working end in the direction of the load. This action pulls the two turns apart at the same time as releasing the draw-loop, and the whole knot simply falls apart.

Tying

To tie the hitch around a pole, begin by passing the working end a half turn round the pole. Next, pass a half turn round the standing part. Then, pass a half turn round both the working end and the standing part, above the first turn (i.e. closer to the pole). Finally, push a bight of the working end through the middle of the hitch - between the two half turns, and between the standing part and the working end. Pull on the standing part to tighten, if necessary sliding the hitch snugly up against the pole.