Page Contents:
| Save 15% with JRB15 coupon: https://www.apecanyon.com/ See the: JRB Collection |
| Save 10% with JRB10 coupon: https://www.rocknarbor.com/ |
See the full collection of Ape Canyon Carabiners here: Carabiners
Note: this page does not list carabiners used for the Garda Hitch Footloop. See:
All about carabiners
There is a lot to know…
Triple Action
Triple action carabiners are recommended for life-safety climbing connections such as our bridge carabiners. They are sometimes referred to as “double locking”, given that the gate closes on its own AND has two separate locking mechanisms.
Screw Gate
Screw Gate carabiners were the standard for many years, then replaced by double action, triple action and even quadruple action carabiners. There are some applications where JRB prefers a screw gate, particularly those where the carabiner needs to be attached with one hand while slack, such as rotational redirection, where opening a triple action with cold hands could be difficult.
Aluminum vs Steel
For most applications, JRB prefers aluminum carabiners over steel due to the weight savings. Steel and Aluminum components should not contact each other. Steel carabiners are commonly used by arborists in choking canopy anchor applications given that they can withstand higher bending forces without deformation. One application for carrying a steel carabiner is as a spare, for an emergency canopy anchor, and where it can also act as an improvised throwball. Steel quick links are also handy for utility applications.
Shape
Carabiners come in different shapes, listed below along with potential applications.
- HMS / Pear – large capacity, great for bridge and Munter
- Oval – smaller, good for connection to one entity
- D-shape – strong design keeps load along spine
Side Loading
Carabiners are intended to be loaded with a tensile load along the major axis (lengthwise, along the SPINE of the carabiner). “Side-loading” is when a carabiner is improperly oriented and loaded across the minor axis (and onto the GATE of the carabiner.)
Be aware that if there is any slack in our system while we are climbing (even the slack on our main bridge between steps while advancing our hitches in SRT or DSRT), a carabiner can misorient and assume a side load. Use of a carabiner with a captive eye (or a swivel which creates the same effect) should be considered.
Small diameter cords used in conjunction with carabiners with a large edge on the gate can increase the chances. A good rule of thumb is that if a side load CAN occur, it eventually will. Take your carabiner and whatever it is attached to and safely test it by manually alternating between tension and slack to see if you can get it to get misoriented.
Orientation
Carabiners on our saddle and in our reach can be safely oriented in any way that we prefer. There is confusion on this point, which originates from a popular saying in Rock Climbing: “Screw down, so you don’t screw up!”. JRB’s research found that this recommendation emerged because when a screw gate carabiner is oriented with the gate in a position to screw closed going UP, vibrations can cause the gate to slowly unlock. The situation in which this is most likely to occur is when the carabiner is out of reach, often out of view, high above us in an anchor, a situation not applicable to saddle hunters. Furthermore, triple action carabiners are recommended over screw-gates for saddle hunters.
Avoid Tree Contact
As a rule of thumb, the gate of the carabiner should never contact with the tree. The combination of tension and contact with the tree can unintentionally open a triple action (double locking) carabiner. See video:
Swivel, for Main Bridge
On the main bridge, JRB uses a swivel, but it is not mandatory:
- The swivel is primarily for DSRT, where we are connected to the tree with a dual strand of rope, ensuring that a 360 degree turn can be accomplished without the two strands of rope getting twisted up.
- We can either use either a Swivel/Carabiner combination device or a Swivel designed to engage a Carabiner. The swivels and carabiners listed below are compatible unless otherwise stated.
- The swivel also helps in keeping the carabiner properly oriented, and unable to find itself taking a side load.
Camp Gyro 1 – Adopted in 2024, this is JRB’s latest swivel. It has a 25kN minimum breaking strength (MBS), matching the strength of a standard carabiner, which is inserted inside the rubber sleeve (on the red side), ensuring that the carabiner will not move or rattle. The rubber collar from the stainless steel side is removed, and thread the bridge rope is threaded through it. The Working Load Limit specified by the manufacturer is the max load at which the swivel will function, and is NOT the breaking strength.
The Petzl Micro Swivel is a similar device which can be used in conjunction with most of the carabiners listed below. Squeeze the carabiner through the small eye, where the rubber collar will firmly grip on the carabiner with no rattle.
Rock Exotica Swiva Eye is a swivel/carabiner available from Amazon. Small diameter cords (<7mm) can get caught on the gate though.
Bridge Carabiners
We want a carabiner which has no edges inside the carabiner which could catch the cord and cause inappropriate loading. We also want a carabiner which is wide and accommodates our friction hitch loops and the Munter. A traditional HMS or Pear shape is best. The Notch HMS and Petzl William Ball carabiners work great on both bridges. Both are triple action and aluminum construction.
Notch HMS
Petzl William Ball
Amazon products:
- DMM Boa Locksafe
- Petzl William Ball
- Black Diamond Rocklock
- Petzl Triact
- DMM Ceros Locksafe (not compatible with swivels)
General Purpose
Omega Pacific Raider
The OP Raider is a great all purpose carabiner. JRB prefers them for forming a Bloodgood Hitch or Saddle Hunter’s Hitch. They can be used on a bridge as well, but not recommended for the Munter (too small).
OP Raider Screw Lock
OP D-shape
These work great on a JRB Cinch or Lineman’s Belt.
The Rock Exotica Rocko WireEye has a moveable wire eye for keeping the carabiner properly oriented in certain applications:
Quick Links, Delta Links…
Browse the Ape Canyon Selection here:
Ape Canyon Carabiner Collection
Lineman’s Belt Connector
The Double Action Squatch Claw works great on a Lineman’s Belt.
Mini Carabiners, for Rigging
When running / rigging our rope up into a tree, or fastening accessories to just about anything, JRB prefers to use mini-carabiners and avoid tying knots. Warning: None of the products in this section are for life-safety applications.
Micro Raiders
The Micro Raiders are great for rope rigging and also available in non-locking design, but they can occasionally open on a twig and get stuck. Locking is better:
Mini Steel Quick Links
These M3.5 (1/8″) Steel Screw Link Carabiners are great for connecting a throwball to the throwline (use a Halter Hitch).
M3.5 Black Quick Links, 10 pack
M3.5 Stainless Steel Quick Links, 10 pack
Freskaro 3 “, Locking
The Freskaro 3 inch carabiners are a small double action carabiner, and excellent for rope rigging, or just about any utility application, advertised with a 12kN load rating. Available on Amazon:
3″ Metal, Black
These non locking carabiners are rated for 1100 lb. They are fine for utility applications like hanging a backpack.
2.3″ Aluminum, Black
These 2.3″ Black Aluminum non-locking carabiners are just a little larger and a more open shape, but not as strong as the Steel.
Black 2.3″ Aluminum Carabiner (6 pack)
2″ Steel, Black
These 2″ Black, Steel, non-locking Carabiners are great for all kinds of accessory applications. JRB likes to keep one on the ground end of his throwball line, and keep a finger in it while making the throw
Black 2″ Steel Carabiners (10 pack)