| The type of climbing you engage in dictates the | | | | with 3D1R, there are other factors you have to |
| type of rope you need to buy - this ensures that | | | | consider in order to come up with the right choice. |
| you have the right equipment to use for the job | | | | Several factors go into the production of today's |
| at hand. Choosing the right rope is not a | | | | modern climbing rope that makes them different |
| one-type-fits-all proposition, there are certain | | | | from one another. This makes it more worthwhile |
| factors that you have to consider in order to | | | | to determine what your various options are for |
| ensure that you are making the right choice. | | | | your type of climbing. |
| Your choice of a rock climbing rope is one of the | | | | The construction of today's climbing ropes is |
| most important decisions you will make because | | | | primarily described as kernmantle, a term derived |
| not all rock climbing ropes are created equal. | | | | from two German words: kern (core) and mantle |
| Climbing ropes have various attributes according | | | | (sheath). Kernmantle-type rock climbing ropes are |
| to the specific type of climbing activity the rope | | | | made from very fine polyamide (nylon) threads |
| will be used for. When choosing and shopping for | | | | and are used by ice, rock, mountain and wall |
| your rock climbing rope, all you have to | | | | climbers alike. |
| remember is 3D1R - dynamic, diameter, durability | | | | Rope manufacturers continually improve their |
| and rating: | | | | rope production processes that cater not only to |
| * Dynamic - the term refers to a combination of | | | | the competitive and recreational market but also |
| both the rope's tensile strength and 'stretching' | | | | the highly specialized rescue and military sectors. |
| property; a rope with high elasticity greatly | | | | Manufacturers claim that their manufacturing |
| reduces the forces a climber is subjected to | | | | techniques give their ropes an edge over their |
| during a fall because it partially absorbs the | | | | competition; however since almost all braiding |
| downward force during a fall. Tensile strength is | | | | machines are technically identical; a particular |
| crucial as you want your rope to have the | | | | rope's advantage over another is sometimes due |
| strength to resist the forces generated in a fall | | | | to the after-treatments applied to the rope after |
| without breaking. | | | | they are braided. |
| * Diameter - rock climbing ropes have normally | | | | A rope's core structure varies and ultimately |
| been between 9mm to 11mm in diameter but are | | | | dictates how the rope will behave in a climbing |
| gradually becoming thinner due to technological | | | | situation. It is from the material used and the |
| advances in manufacturing processes. | | | | design of the core that ropes derive their inherent |
| * Durability - the rope's resistance against severe | | | | elasticity and strength. On the other hand, the |
| abrasion, heavy loads and extreme weather | | | | protective multi-coloured coverings (sheath) of |
| conditions and repeated use in harsh conditions. | | | | the rope which provide the protection to the core |
| * Rating - always ensure that you buy a climbing | | | | are an equally vital factor. The colourful sheaths |
| rope with a rating of more than 2000 pounds (on | | | | are not merely decorative but are visual indicators |
| a free-fall, a human body can generate forces far | | | | as to the type of rope in use. The different |
| in excess of 2000 pounds!) | | | | sheath colours reflect a rope's characteristics like |
| Choosing the right rope does not begin and end | | | | performance, durability and weight. |