Rope slings were the normal way to protect a lead climber up until the 1960’s when nut runners started to be manufactured. The sling would simply be hooked over a spike of rock and clipped into the climber’s rope by means of the karabiner. The knot could be jammed into a crack and secured that way. This particular sling and karabiner was given to Mick Tighe by John Hinde who was a great hillman and who for many years was leader of various RAF Mountain Rescue Teams.