Which term describes the long axis of a carabiner that is intended to be loaded?

The term that describes the long axis of a carabiner that is intended to be loaded is the major axis. When a carabiner is loaded, the major axis is the strongest orientation, supporting the weight and force applied in a vertical manner. This orientation maximizes the strength of the carabiner because it allows for the distribution of stress along its longest length.

Understanding the significance of the major axis is crucial in rescue operations and climbing scenarios to ensure safety, as loading the carabiner correctly prevents potential failures that could occur if it were loaded incorrectly along the minor axis. In contrast, the minor axis is not designed to handle the same amount of load and is therefore a weaker point of the carabiner. The other terms, like main line and mechanical advantage, refer to different concepts in rigging and rescue operations and do not describe structural properties of a carabiner.