| When you start rock climbing, you'll most likely just | | | | of an oval race track like the one in Daytona or |
| be playing around on surfaces that aren't too high. | | | | Indianapolis and you have the idea. Regardless, this is |
| Once you decide to get serious, it will be time to get | | | | your run of the mill carabiner and will run you $5 a |
| technical and that means carabiners. | | | | piece or so. |
| What is a carabiner? It is a metal loop that has a | | | | From ovals we go to the D-shaped carabiners. There |
| gate that allows you to pass rope in and out of the | | | | are a variety of types of d-shaped "biners", but the |
| loop. The gate is usually a spring activated | | | | all have the general shape where the gated side of |
| mechanism, but can also be found as a screw on | | | | the loop is shorter than the non-gated side. This |
| device. Think of a key chain, but must stronger, for | | | | tends to add strength to the biner since most of the |
| rock climbing. In fact, many climbers use carabiners as | | | | weight is focused on the unbroken side of the |
| key chains. | | | | d-shaped length. It is hard to explain in words, so just |
| What are carabiners used for? They are a basic | | | | trust me or try it. |
| foundational piece of climbing. They basically act as | | | | As mentioned, there are a variety of d-shaped biners |
| your interface with other things you are working with | | | | that you can use. Each has its benefits and negatives. |
| when climbing. This typically is your rope. Ah, but not | | | | They tend to be grouped as general, asymmetrical, |
| all carabiners are the same. They come in different | | | | bent-gate and locking d-shaped biners. Usually, the |
| types, so let's consider a few of the common ones. | | | | odder the name, the more they cost. That being |
| The standard oval carabiner is the most commonly | | | | said, carabiners shouldn't really run you more than $20 |
| used as its name would suggest. Because the word | | | | a piece unless there is something pretty special about |
| oval is used, most people picture a round metal loop. | | | | the one in question. |
| In truth, the oval is more of an elongate circle. Think | | | | |