Carabiners are metal loops
(usually aluminium) with
sprung or screwed gates that
allow rope or other climbing
equipment to be quickly
inserted or removed.
Carabiners can be broadly
divided into two categories,
non-locking carabiners and
locking carabiners. Non-
locking carabiners have a
sprung gate that wil snap
back into place after the
climbing equipment has been
pushed through it. Different
types of gates are available,
including straight gates, bent
gates (which allow equipment
to be clipped in more easily)
and light-weight wire gates.
Locking carabiners have an
additional sleeve around the
gate, which will only allow the
gate to open when it is
correctly positioned.
