Choosing the Right Rock Climbing Rope
Rock climbing is a good pastime but can be very dangerous especially if you do not have the correct rope. Therefore, it is important to have the right rope before you go on your rock climbing escapade. There are many different qualities a good rope should have; from handling characteristics to weight.
Common Types of Ropes
The rocks you are going to climb should guide you in choosing the right rope for the task. There are different types of ropes in the market and each is suited for particular rock types. Popular rope brands in the market include:
New England Rope G-50 10.5mm: This is a maxim 50 meters climbing rope that comes with limited options and as a result, it is also cheap. The rope has a supple feel and goes through the belay device easily. Moreover, it has no frills and is suitable for beginner climbers. You can use the G-50 for rappelling, top-roping, or working a route.
Blue Water Lightning Pro Double Dry: This is a thin 60 meters rope that is very smooth. At only 9.6mm, it is one of the thinnest ropes in the market and while it was initially meant for climbing the Alpine, it is also continuously being used by many climbers for hard red points. The Double Dry treatment makes the rope get through the biners easily and also protects it from getting soaked.
The rope comes in two colors and configurations of 50, 60 and 70 meters.
Sterling 10.2mm Dry Rope: This strong 10.2mm rope is all-round climbing rope that can be used for ice climbing, trad routes, top-roping and sport routes. The rope handles well and feels very secure and is resistant to wear thanks to the better braid technology that has been used to make it. The fibers are exposed to Dry Core treatment that controls absorption of moisture.
The rope comes in 50, 60 and 70 meter lengths but you can also get custom lengths.
Choosing the Right Rope For You
Ropes come in different varieties and lengths for different uses. While there are specific ropes meant for different rock climbing expeditions, any rope that is strong enough can be used for traditional climbing. A well maintained 9-11mm diameter rope measuring between 50-100cm from a well known manufacturer can be good for simple rock climbing.
Some of the things you should consider when choosing a climbing rock include:
1. Length: Make sure the length of the rope will be enough for the type of rock climbing you want to engage in.
2. Weight of the rope: Ensure the rope you have is strong enough. A rope with a diameter of 9 to 11 mm will be good for traditional rock climbing.
3. Type of rope: If you are going for professional rock climbing expeditions such as mountain climbing, you should get ropes that are specially made for that task.
The lifespan of the climbing rope will be determined by how frequently the rope will be used. If you are the occasionally rock climber, the rope can last between 2-4 years. For regular usage, the rope is likely to last between 1-2 years. Ropes that are used almost daily can last for between 3 months to 1 year.
Thicker ropes are much easier to handle than thinner ones. However, it should not be very heavy or bulky especially if you will be trekking for a long distance.