Cactus spine completely through new rope

Yesterday I was pulling my rope at Shelf. It fell in a lump of cactus. I'd had this happen before, and went through the rope pulling the spines out.

I found one that was completely through the rope, core and all.
After pulling the spine out there was no visible damage. I marked the spot with a knot and spent the rest of the day leading from the other side.

I realize I'm probably being a touch paranoid, but I think my new 70m is about to become a 68m rope, unless anyone has some fairly compelling reason that I shouldn't chop it.

better than having a saguaro spine underneath your patella

i wouldnt worry about it personally, a cactus spine probably couldnt cut any fibers

A cactus spine?

Dude, you are fine. Have you ever looked at ascender teeth?

Don't sweat it at all, it more than likely just separated nylon fibers and did little damage. Even if it didn't do that, it's so small that I would not worry,

Someone put an ice axe into the core of my rope 2 years ago and it hasn't failed yet.

Take that.

You will be completely fine.

• Note, this statement is not legal advice in any form.

Um...... Your prolly gunna DIE!

Tom Mulholland wrote:You will be completely fine. *Note, this statement is not legal advice in any form.

If you ever buy a big spool of rope, you'll find that the ends are pinned (through the core and all), to keep it from unraveling in the packaging. You're fine.

Unless that cactus spine is serrated all it does is seperate the braided material as it goes through the rope. However it doesn't hurt to be paranoid as a climber. Its the comfortable, don't worry about it kind that, well you know.