What Are the Two Types of Climbing Rope?

For an experienced climber their rope becomesStatic
their priority and the most important bit of kit inStatic ropes will not stretch if you fall - they don't
their arsenal. That's not surprising is it, consideringhave a lot of give in them. They have a tough
that your life will be depending on it for the mostexterior sheath around a tightly woven rigid core.
part. Ropes are there for safety reasons. TheyThey are often white in color and are used in
are there to catch if you fall. Simple as.descending, abseiling or safety ropes. They are
In two styles of climbing - bouldering and freenever used for leading a climb. Any fall during an
climbing - you do not use ropes. With boulderingascent will transfer that energy directly to the
you are not far off the ground. Free climbingclimber and the protection devices in place. Highly
takes tremendous skill and has an accompanyingundesirable.
danger level. With traditional climbing, yes youDynamic
have a rope attached but in essence it is still youThese ropes allow a range of movement under
against the rock. In your climbing career you willloads. There is a high amount of protection with a
fall at some point - hopefully not far - and you willdynamic rope if you fall because it will absorb the
be thankful for that long woven cord danglingenergy and go with you. They are constructed to
around you.all around 30% stretching ability. This capability
Rope technology is highly sophisticated withdoes decrease with age and use.
manufacturers producing incredibly reliableKnowing your ropes is easy once you understand
products. They don't want their ropes to fail -the basics. From then on you just have to make
neither do you - and so they are tested undersure you look after them properly to ensure
extreme pressures. Ropes come in two basiccontinued reliability.
flavors: