How to Take Care of Your Climbing Rope

You can prolong the life of your rope by lookingyou stand on somebody else's rope be prepared
after it properly. They cost a fair whack so it'sfor a torrent of abuse.
only practical.- Dirt - Again, if your rope is soiled then you
- Sunlight - Don't sling your rope onto the backshould wash it very carefully with warm water
seat of your car as you ride home. Sunlightand a diluted soap solution. You don't have to go
contains ultraviolet rays that begin to destroyas far as moisturising it after.
your rope. Long term exposure should be avoided.- Bag it! - Invest in a decent bag. This should be
- Chemicals/substance abuse - Any acids anddesigned to give you full access to the rope by
alkalis coming into contact with the fibres willopening up. There may be a groundsheet built into
corrode them.it as well as extra pouches and shoulder straps.
- Sharp edges - Loaded ropes can get cut if theyThis all seems like ropes are fragile little things
are scraping against even a small stone chip sothat burst into flames of you so much as look at
watch out for fraying.them. They don't of course but it can be easy to
- Abrasions - One cardinal sin is standing on yourdamage them and not realise it so be careful.
rope! Grit, particles and stones will easily cut theTreat them like you would a decent jacket or
small fibres and begin the deterioration process. Ifshirt.