How to Attach a Rope to a Carabiner

Whether you're sport climbing for the first time or leading the fourth pitch on an all-day route, few things are more important when you rock climb than properly attaching your rope to a carabiner.

Things You'll Need

  • Climbing rope
  • Carabiner(s)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure you have good footholds and/or handholds so you can stabilize yourself to hold the rock with only one hand.

    • 2

      With your free hand, grab a carabiner from your climbing harness and clip it to the end of the climbing protection in a downward direction with the gate facing the rock.

    • 3

      Rotate the carabiner out and away from the rock so the gate is upside-down and facing you.

    • 4

      Move your hand down and firmly grasp the rope so that you have enough slack to reach the carabiner.

    • 5

      Using your index finger and pressure from the rope, push open the carabiner gate and insert the rope, making sure it is not touching or obstructing the gate.

    • 6

      Check the rope to make sure it will not knock you off the rock and that it slides smoothly in the direction of travel without twisting the carabiner.

    • 7

      Climb to the next piece of protection and repeat Steps 1 to 6 until you finish the climb.