Rock Exotica Pirate Carabiner

The Rock Exotica Pirate carabiner is a large auto-locking connector with a wide end and plenty of room inside. Arborists use it where several eyes, a rope, or bulky hardware need to share one carabiner.

Where a big carabiner helps

Some connections get crowded: an anchor with a sling and a rope eye, a bridge with a device and a lanyard, or a rigging point with a block and a sling. The Pirate's large pear shape gives those pieces room to sit side by side instead of piling up against the gate.

Rock Exotica builds the Pirate with a smooth nose that is less likely to hang up on a sling or bark when you clip and unclip. The bigger size does add some weight, so most climbers carry one or two for the crowded spots rather than using it for everything.

Inspection and retirement

Before each climb, open the gate and let it snap shut. It should close fully and lock on its own without sticking. Look for cracks, sharp edges, grooves worn by rope, and deformation at the nose or hinge. Sap and grit are the usual cause of a lazy gate, so rinse and dry the carabiner and keep the gate mechanism clean.

Retire any carabiner that has been dropped from height onto a hard surface, shock loaded, or shows wear you cannot explain. Read the markings on the spine and confirm they meet what your system needs. Life-support gear must meet the applicable standard (ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions), be inspected before every climb, and be used only by trained climbers. See more auto-locking carabiners.