The Black Diamond ATC-Guide is both a belay and a rappel device. It has dual-friction capabilities, one a regular smooth friction side and the other a grooved side. This guarantees sufficient friction on the climbing rope to arrest the fall of a climber. For rappelling and lowering, the ATC-Guide has a small hole where you can attach a girth hitch for leverage to release it.
The Black Diamond ATC-Guide is made of hot-forged anodized 7075-TC aluminum which assures durability and strength. Ropes ranging for 7.7 to 11 mm are compatible with this belay/rappel device in a wide array of conditions.
Its variable friction design allows you to use different rope sizes for different conditions. When rappelling at high speeds or rapping with fuzzy 11 mm ropes, use low friction mode or LFM. On the other hand, when rapping with a haul bag or when working with thin ropes in wet conditions, use high friction mode or HFM.
The Guide Mode of the ATC-Guide allows the lowering of a climber who is much heavier than the belayer. It has a clip-in hole that is large enough to accommodate the sleeves of standard locking carabiners. It also has a double slot which allows the feeding of single or double ropes. A coated retainer wire keeps it in place.