Why is cross-loading a carabiner dangerous?

• A. It concentrates load on the rope strands causing wear.
• B. It places load on the gate or spine in an unintended direction, risking failure.
• C. It only affects cosmetic wear on the carabiner.
• D. It improves the overall strength of the carabiner.

Answer: (B)

Cross-loading a carabiner is dangerous because it shifts the load onto the gate or spine in a direction the carabiner isn’t designed to handle. Carabiners are built to take most of their strength along the major axis (through the spine). When the load comes from the side or through the gate, the gate can be forced open or the spine can bend, reducing strength and increasing the chance of failure under load. In practical terms, this means a fall or heavy pull could cause the connector to fail when you’re relying on it. That’s why the load should stay aligned with the spine and the gate kept closed and unlocked only when appropriate; cross-loading isn’t about cosmetic wear and certainly doesn’t improve strength.