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There are 3 types of
climbing
ropes out there: single, half
and twin.
Singles can be used on their
own, and are fine for sport,
climbing walls and shortish
trad routes. They vary in
thickness from about 9.5 to
11mm.
Half ropes (sometimes called
doubles because you need
two) are lighter and thinner
(typically 8-9mm) and are
used for longer trad routes
where the pitches don’t
necessarily follow straight
lines. You’ll need two as one
rope is clipped into each piece
of gear in order to give two
(hopefully) straightish lines
and so reduce drag. Halves
also allow full rope length
retrievable abseils by tying
them together and abbing on
both strands.
Twin ropes are lighter and
thinner still (7-8mm), you
need two and both ropes must
be clipped into every piece of
gear. They are used pretty
much exclusively for ice
climbing in order to give an
extra margin of safety if one
rope gets cut. They also allow
full length abseils by tying
both ropes together and
abbing on both strands.
Important factors to consider
for all ropes are impact force
(the amount of force
transmitted to the climber and
gear when a fall is held –
generally lower = better) and
weight and durability (you’ll
usually find a trade off
between the two). Dry
treatment is useful if you
climb on sea cliffs, ice, bad
weather or the mountains as
wet or frozen ropes are
significantly weaker, heavier
and a pain to handle. |
