Video: Bolt hanger damage to karabiners

Posted by Dan Middleton, BMC Technical Officer on 17/07/2009
Sharp edges left by bolt hanger

This video, made in the 90's, explains how bolt hangers can damage karabiners. The sharp edges left on karabiners can cause serious damage to ropes. For this reason, never use your bolt clipping 'biners to clip into the rope.

Extenders or quickdraws used for sports climbing should always have the same end clipped into the bolt. Some bolt hangers can damage the karabiner, leaving rough burrs or edges. A rope clipped into such a karabiner can be seriously damaged, and possibly even severed in the event of a fall.



The solution is to use distinct karabiners for clipping into the bolt and rope, for example:

  1. Straight-gates for the bolt, bent-gates for the rope
  2. Have the rope clipping 'biner kept captive by a rubber band or "String"
  3. Use colour codes, such as Blue 'biners for Bolts, Red for the Rope

In addition,  make sure you rack your extenders on your harness the right way up so that you don't have to think about it in extremis!



« Back

Post a comment Print this article

This article has been read 1220 times

TAGS

Click on the tags to explore more

RELATED ARTICLES

Simond Edge rope recall
0
Simond Edge rope recall

Decathlon have issued a recall notice for the Simond Edge rope, the models affected are the 9mm x 80m and the 9mm x 100m. Users are requested to stop using any affected product and to return it to their nearest Decathlon store and be issued a refund.
Read more »

Ready, Trek, Go with BMC Travel Cover
0
Ready, Trek, Go with BMC Travel Cover

Off to new heights? Take BMC Travel Cover with you with our European Trek policy from just £50* for a week.
Read more »

Bouldering comp season 2023 kicks off in France
1
Bouldering comp season 2023 kicks off in France

The bouldering competition season 2023 kicks off in Chambéry, France, where we’ll see a number of GB Climbing athletes compete to make their mark in the European Cup on 7-8 April 2023.
Read more »

Post a Comment

Posting as Anonymous Community Standards
3000 characters remaining
Submit
Your comment has been posted below, click here to view it
Comments are currently on | Turn off comments
0

There are currently no comments, why not add your own?

RELATED ARTICLES

Simond Edge rope recall
0

Decathlon have issued a recall notice for the Simond Edge rope, the models affected are the 9mm x 80m and the 9mm x 100m. Users are requested to stop using any affected product and to return it to their nearest Decathlon store and be issued a refund.
Read more »

Ready, Trek, Go with BMC Travel Cover
0

Off to new heights? Take BMC Travel Cover with you with our European Trek policy from just £50* for a week.
Read more »

Bouldering comp season 2023 kicks off in France
1

The bouldering competition season 2023 kicks off in Chambéry, France, where we’ll see a number of GB Climbing athletes compete to make their mark in the European Cup on 7-8 April 2023.
Read more »

BMC MEMBERSHIP
Join 82,000 BMC members and support British climbing, walking and mountaineering. Membership only £16.97.
Read more »
BMC SHOP
Great range of guidebooks, DVDs, books, calendars and maps.
All with discounts for members.
Read more »
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Get covered with BMC Insurance. Our five policies take you from the beach to Everest.
Read more »