Carabiners
Carabiners are more common place in today's world than any other piece of rockclimbing equipment. They hold key chains, dangle from backpacks, and have become the most notable icon of an adventerous person.
When beginning your climbing career, you'll need only one locking carabiner (pictured at top), this can be used to belay. But as you get more into climbing you'll need many more carabiners, quick draws, and ATC's, which aren't featured on this page.
The orginal and basic shape of a carabiner is an oval. There is also a "D" shaped carabiner which is stronger than other carabiners. When the weight from a line is pulling down and the carabiner is hooked in, the weight is pulling along a straight line and is incredibly strong. Imagine the force required to pull steel apart! You could hang a car from a carabiner!
Besides a locking carabiner, you'll also just need normal carabiners. These won't just serve you for climbing but can be used for countless other things as well. They're faster than a locking carabiner, just as strong, but the chances of them coming undone are greater.
