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CLIMBING - EQUIPMENT
- Karabiners
 Karabiners
are often called "Krabs" these are metal snaplinks
with sprung openings gates, which are used as connections
between a range of climbing equipment. Generally they
are made from steel or aluminium alloy and can be found
in various shapes and sizes, the common shape is a D
and pear shape.
The alloy karabiner are more popular due to being lighter
and strong as steel.
The karabiner falls into three [3] catogries Screwgate,
Snap and Twistlock.
The Screwgate karabiner has a threaded
sleeve that stops the gate from opening by accident
and used to attach the rope to the climber and for main
belays. The Snap karabiner have no locking device and
are mainly used for running belays [quick draws], that
consists of pieces of equipment placed or found in the
rock into which the leader clips the rope via the karabiner
as he climbs. This helps the climber and the second
climber in the event of a fall. Although they help the
climber in a fall they do have a disadvantage  being
that the rope can flick out of the karabiner in a fall,
this is where the rope bounces out of the karabiner
as its gates rapidly opens and closes under rope action.
If possibly use some form of locking device or double
up on karabiners with their gates reversed. Twistlock
is a new auto-locking gate action, these are popular
in instructional situations, to prevent accidental gate
locking. Climbers are beginning to take to them as they
offer extre security and very little trade off in lightness.
When using snap karabiners in running belays [quick
draws] pay attention to where you place the karabiner
because the gates can be pushed open by resting against
the rock or edge. Seek advice from expereiced climbers
on how to place the snap karabiners in running belays
[quick draws].
 Karabiners
should be cleaned with warm water, liquid soap and a
brush preiodically. The moving parts should be treated
with silicone and not oil has it may damage other climbing
equipment. Always check for corrosion and if is has
been involved in a big fall or dropped some way for
some form of deformation, if there is discard.
Always seek advice from the specialist outlets and
that the karabiners have the UIAA standard approval.
Disclaimer
- Climbing, Fell Walking,
Mountaineering, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Watersports
and other Activities can be extremely dangerous
and can result in permanent disability or even
loss of life. Participants in these activities
should be aware of and accept these risks and
be responsible for their own involvement and
Lake District Let's Go can not be held responsible.
Always seek advice and information.
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