For as long as I’ve been climbing, I’ve used Black Diamond’s ATC-Guide as my go to belay device. The durable, tried and true design has been great from the day I learned how to belay. As an avid outdoor climber who is starting to get into multi-pitch climbs, I’m still discovering new uses for it as I’ve begun to belay seconding climbers. After 10 years of climbing and belaying, It has been a great investment and I thank the Rhode Island Rock Gym (Rock Spot Climbing’s original name) employee who told me that if I was thinking of climbing outdoors, the Black Diamond ATC-Guide was the belay device for me.
There are no features on the ATC-Guide you won’t appreciate. The dual belay tubes are great for setting up a rappel and their large diameter easily accommodates everything you’ll be belaying on from thick, crusty gym ropes to lightweight sport ropes. This doesn’t reduce friction for braking as each belay tube is equipped with both a regular and high friction end. The high friction end in particular narrows significantly with ridged teeth to arrest the descent of the most ambitious climber taking the gnarliest of whips on lightweight, small diameter rope. The ATC-Guide differs from the ATC-XP with the addition of an anchor point and a release for belaying a second climber from the top of a pitch. The guide mode is important for multi-pitch climbs. Mastering the proper setup and technique for belaying from the top of a pitch will allow for some incredible and unique outdoor climbing experiences.
In my experience, the ATC-Guide has been a great investment. While I’ve purchased other belay devices throughout the years, it is still my most trusted piece of equipment. It’s taken everything I’ve thrown at it and is by far the most useful tool in my entire climbing gear set. The newer models of the ATC-Guide are lighter than previous models and there are a great selection of colors to choose from. As a friendly employee once told me, “If you’re looking to purchase a belay device and are thinking of climbing outdoors, the Black Diamond ATC-Guide is the belay device for you.”
Peter Sancianco is our Regional Marketing Assistant for Rhode Island
