JAshley73
Member
It's been a while since I've seen an argument on carabiners, so I figured I'd stir the pot a bit... Actually, I'm putting together a list of gear to get for my young daughter's introduction to SRT... And possibly fiddling with my kit as well, sharing between us as we build out her kit, etc...
Thoughts, favorites, likes for types of carabiners in your SRT kit...?
Autolockers - I keep getting feedback from cavers that Autolockers are frowned upon in caving, for their vulnerability to being jammed with mud. I can certainly understand that, especially for the central D-ring, and others that are left in place whilst crawling, etc... That said, I prefer them (in a general sense) to screw-locks, as they don't, well you know, come unscrewed...
Screw-Gates - These are my least favorite, but I understand "why" people like them, a little bit at least. I'm not much of Petzl lover, but hats off to them for the red anodized band, showing they're unscrewed.
Twin-Gates - by Grivel. I really like the idea of these, and really like them in general. Seems very, very tough to defeat, yet convenient to use. Seems like they're mostly immune from clogging with mud. Can't really think of a reason to NOT use them, other than they're tough to find in-stock, and are slightly pricey.
Central D-Ring - Will probably keep with screw-locks here. I'd rather not futz with a slow-close mallion, or worry about an auto-locker jamming from mud...
Long Cow's Tail & Main Climbing Ascender... - We've been using a screw-lock on this one, to safeguard losing the main climbing ascender & foot-loops. We've been adding a 2nd snap-gate on this as well, for convenient clipping onto the gear loop. A bit like a belt & braces, but it seems to work OK. The screw-locks do need to be looked after, as they do work loose a little bit. Any forseen issue to using an auto-locker here? If indeed it gets jammed with mud, it won't be much of a hinderance, especially with us using a snap-gate for clipping onto the gear loop...
Short Cow's Tail - We don't use them much, but probably snap-gates here. I've read lots on why we should use screw-locks or twin-gates. I could sub these in easily enough.
Descending Device -to- D-Ring - I have a mild preference for autolockers here, probably ovals. Any substantial reason to avoid them? In our practicing, we've used screw-locks and they're coming unscrewed slightly 50% of the time. I also expect that we'll be removing our descenders & stowing in our packs, before crawling on top of them (ouch!) through muddy bits...
Rigging - I would imagine autolockers to be the best choice here, especially when they'll be kept relatively clean - IE, not being rubbed in mud/sand. Perhaps stainless autolockers would be the supreme choice for clipping into hangers, but yikes they're pricey, and the choices seem few.
I think that covers it - please point out what I've missed, or messed up...
Thoughts, favorites, likes for types of carabiners in your SRT kit...?
Autolockers - I keep getting feedback from cavers that Autolockers are frowned upon in caving, for their vulnerability to being jammed with mud. I can certainly understand that, especially for the central D-ring, and others that are left in place whilst crawling, etc... That said, I prefer them (in a general sense) to screw-locks, as they don't, well you know, come unscrewed...
Screw-Gates - These are my least favorite, but I understand "why" people like them, a little bit at least. I'm not much of Petzl lover, but hats off to them for the red anodized band, showing they're unscrewed.
Twin-Gates - by Grivel. I really like the idea of these, and really like them in general. Seems very, very tough to defeat, yet convenient to use. Seems like they're mostly immune from clogging with mud. Can't really think of a reason to NOT use them, other than they're tough to find in-stock, and are slightly pricey.
Central D-Ring - Will probably keep with screw-locks here. I'd rather not futz with a slow-close mallion, or worry about an auto-locker jamming from mud...
Long Cow's Tail & Main Climbing Ascender... - We've been using a screw-lock on this one, to safeguard losing the main climbing ascender & foot-loops. We've been adding a 2nd snap-gate on this as well, for convenient clipping onto the gear loop. A bit like a belt & braces, but it seems to work OK. The screw-locks do need to be looked after, as they do work loose a little bit. Any forseen issue to using an auto-locker here? If indeed it gets jammed with mud, it won't be much of a hinderance, especially with us using a snap-gate for clipping onto the gear loop...
Short Cow's Tail - We don't use them much, but probably snap-gates here. I've read lots on why we should use screw-locks or twin-gates. I could sub these in easily enough.
Descending Device -to- D-Ring - I have a mild preference for autolockers here, probably ovals. Any substantial reason to avoid them? In our practicing, we've used screw-locks and they're coming unscrewed slightly 50% of the time. I also expect that we'll be removing our descenders & stowing in our packs, before crawling on top of them (ouch!) through muddy bits...
Rigging - I would imagine autolockers to be the best choice here, especially when they'll be kept relatively clean - IE, not being rubbed in mud/sand. Perhaps stainless autolockers would be the supreme choice for clipping into hangers, but yikes they're pricey, and the choices seem few.
I think that covers it - please point out what I've missed, or messed up...
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