A Love Letter to My Black Diamond Magnetron Gridlock Carabiner

My dear Magnetron Gridlock,

You hold my heart (and my life).

Despite the pain—we’ve had a tough relationship at times—I want you to know that you are so important to me.

Many of my climbing partners and guests, mostly those who haven’t met you before, don’t like you at first. They get frustrated when they have to perform fifteen maneuvers to install you on their harnesses. Then they get disdainful when they have to re-learn how to correctly load the belay device with the rope.

It’s true; there’s a steep getting-to-know phase with you. One must learn how to squeeze your magnetic lock buttons between thumb and forefinger. Then one must learn how to hold the gate open in such a way as to easily install the “cradle” on the belay loop.

However, after the getting-to-know phase everybody finds you easier and faster than any other locking carabiner mechanism out there (especially when wearing gloves!).

Magnetron Gridlock I trust you completely.

Your locked gate does not pinch the rope.

You stay oriented in the best loading position. When I go sport climbing you hold my belay device so steadily that I can focus completely on feeding the rope to my climbing partner.

You never accidentally open your gate. This trait of yours I am particularly grateful for on my glacier travels. Other carabiners can jostle open during glacier travel but you, Magnetron Gridlock, hold my rope securely for hours on end.

You never let me down. Only once some water got into your gate mechanism and froze momentarily, but it was quickly resolved.

You are beautiful.

You are light on my harness.

Your metal stock allows the rope to run smoothly over your rounds.

Your design fits well into my hand for either for operating belay devices or rope grabs.

You’re always there for me. I could not ask for more from a locking carabiner.

Yours truly,

Karen

The post A Love Letter to My Black Diamond Magnetron Gridlock Carabiner appeared first on Chicks Climbing.

To see the latest Chicks with Picks and Chicks Rock! clinic schedule check out http://www.chickswithpicks.net/