The two functions I need are for the climbing harness and then for hanging. Some carabiners have wire clips others have a screw gate.
What are the pros and cons for what we hunters need? I know I want to buy aluminum to reduce weight.
Thank you!
JMO, anything you’re planning to hang off of should have a lock on it. I would get one of the spring-loaded auto lockers, just because they are super convenient and since there’s nothing to remember… There’s nothing to forget.
Otherwise, just make sure you have some thing which is clearly mart… Most of them are going to be “go on green/red, you’re dead“.
Alternatively, you can go with two non-lockers with the gates opposed. That’s what we did before we had lockers.
Wiregate vs Non-Wiregate
In 1995, Black Diamond brought wiregate technology to the climbing industry with the HotWire carabiner. Wiregate carabiners are typically lighter, less susceptible to freezing, and because of the reduced mass, less susceptible to gate whiplash. During a climbing fall there is a lot going on-carabiners are getting loaded, ropes are stretching and getting tight, things are bouncing around. Traditional gates on carabiners have more mass to them, and during all of this bouncing and vibration, it has been shown that the mass of the gate can allow it to open slightly which in effect results in an 'open gate' loading scenario. And as stated above, carabiners are typically 3 to 4 times as strong when the gate is closed. The reduced mass of a wiregate carbiner alleviates this.
I would Stick to the type sold with a harnesses. Unless your knowledgeable in rigging and climbing gear. Or get professional advise and training
You want any standard aluminum locking carabiner. Go with a screw-gate, not an auto-locker. Any climbing brand will do (Black Diamond, Petzl, Omega Pacific...or many others). I'd personally recommend a Black Diamond Pearlock, Vaporlock, or Rocklock, depending on your size preference. If you're near an REI stop in and see what feels best in your hand.
Why the aversion to auto-lockers? I started climbing about 40 years ago and used screw-gates for years… I kinda like the autos, but I’ve never had a bad experience with one.
Always good to learn something new…
I do use autolockers in some technical rigging/rope work that I do. They have their place. Climbing (and hunting) is not that place.
I got interested in 1980 in Yosemite, then as I could afford gear and trips, I stared Ice climbing then rock and Alpine. Then Extreme Alpine, 4 peaks over 20k one over 26k
About 2008 or so maybe more we built an ice climbing tower and now rock and ice. With an altitude simulator.
Look up (Peabody Ice climbing in Fenton Michigan) if you want a great time training. Or first timer trying it Out. Great friendly atmosphere
You got started in the true golden age of climbing in Yosemite. Very jealous! I started much later. I've climbed extensively around North America and lived in Yosemite and Joshua Tree for good amounts of time each. My climbing has been primarily trad climbing with some sport and a decent amount of aid. I also ice (and mixed) climb and generally prefer ice to rock. For a period I was climbing 100+ days per year, all outdoors.
I'm climbing far less these days (and hunting more). I've climbed El Cap but my proudest climbing accomplishment was organizing and leading a 35 day expedition to do something that had not previously been done. Good times, all!
That’s next level stuff right there…screw that…next 10 levels. Hats off to you Altitude Sickness.
Shoulda figured there's be some hardcore climbers who love to hunt as much :)
I climbed the nose in 1985 and was the one who actually machined the first mold for the hot wire back in the mid 90's. That guy Andrew McLain in that BD story was actually arrested and charged with stealing tree stands and trail cams a few years ago. Pretty sure he and his wife did some plea bargain out of it, but it was pretty pathetic. He got fired from BD for it.
Anyway, back to carabiners, I'd definitely use aluminum twist locking D's for everything. The weight difference for 3 or 4 you could ever use in one stand is nothing and you never have to worry about webbing or ropes twisting open and dropping something. Definitely the one you're tied in with should be a locking one.
Just my $0.02 after 45 years of climbing stuff and thangs.
Cheers, Pete
Now people free solo it in a couple hours.
I never climbed Ice because I was too busy skiing. Besides…. I lost interest after reading an article where they did a bunch of testing and concluded that most Ice Pro is mostly just for show anyway! LOL
And for kind of similar reasons, I never did direct aid because I was more interested in climbing rocks than ropes ;)
That’s why I asked why the dislike of auto-lockers. I never had an issue with one, but in snow or freezing rain, I’ll stay on the ground.
Besides. My fingers don’t work for JACK when they freeze up, which happens faster for me than for most….