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Which is thicker?

Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245
Matt R wrote:Woah. Fast replies. That's pretty solid. Alright, well, I took a picture to show you all. The blue one has a knot in it, possibly just to hold it together. The other doesn't, and is much thinner. Time to read your replies though.
OK, the question you asked coupled with the picture you posted has me thinking that you really REALLY need a mentor. I'm not having a go at you - we ALL needed a mentor in the beginning. Some of us found one, others just got lucky and didn't die. Don't assume you'll be one of the lucky ones. Freedom of the Hills is a great book, but there is no substitute for a real life person that knows their shit. All it takes is a willingness to learn (and beer).
Matt R · · Downingtown, PA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 0
Ryan Williams wrote: OK, the question you asked coupled with the picture you posted has me thinking that you really REALLY need a mentor. I'm not having a go at you - we ALL needed a mentor in the beginning. Some of us found one, others just got lucky and didn't die. Don't assume you'll be one of the lucky ones. Freedom of the Hills is a great book, but there is no substitute for a real life person that knows their shit. All it takes is a willingness to learn (and beer).
I do, I'll agree with you for sure. I'm also willing, but I'm 16, so the beer is kind of out. I live in eastern Pennsylvania and there's not much here to climb, though. Thanks!
BCA · · michigan · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 0

Yeah. That cord on the left doesn't really even look viable as a prusik. That looks like accessory cord to me. Anyone else?

Keith Robinson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 10

Not sure if anyone posted this already but the blue cord on the right is BlueWater 6mm accesory cord(strength 1888lbs) and the cord on the left is Maxim Tech Cord I believe. I had some with that pattern 7-8 years ago. It should be 5mm and rated to 5000lbs. It should feel stiffer to bend and be about 20ft if it hasn't been cut since purchase. It has a core of Technora a fiber similar to Spectra, so low melting point not good for prussics. It is however used for anchors due to its strength. The cord on the right is good for prussics. I have a 70m pull cord made of it.

Matt R · · Downingtown, PA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 0
Keith Robinson wrote:Not sure if anyone posted this already but the blue cord on the right is BlueWater 6mm accesory cord(strength 1888lbs) and the cord on the left is Maxim Tech Cord I believe. I had some with that pattern 7-8 years ago. It should be 5mm and rated to 5000lbs. It should feel stiffer to bend and be about 20ft if it hasn't been cut since purchase. It has a core of Technora a fiber similar to Spectra, so low melting point not good for prussics. It is however used for anchors due to its strength. The cord on the right is good for prussics. I have a 70m pull cord made of it.
The cord on the right, though, is thick in comparison to the one on the left! So, there seems to be a big difference between the two in terms of thickness, I would've thought it's a bigger difference then just 1mm.
BCA · · michigan · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 0

Agreed, Matt. It appears that there is more that 1mil between the two. I would just go ahead and buy new cord. It's really inexpensive, and it might be worth having the piece of mind that comes with knowing the history of your "soft goods."

Keith Robinson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 10

You may be right Matt I just saw that Maxim makes a 5 and 3mm cord. It could be the 3mm which is rated to 3600lbs but I would not want to climb up the the anchor and see 3mm! I once had cord with that pattern and it was 5mm, but looking at the photo it looks much smaller. Maxim is a New England Rope product.

BCA · · michigan · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 0

I think it's 3. The thicker one looks 5. Difficult without scale though.

Matt R · · Downingtown, PA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 0
Keith Robinson wrote:You may be right Matt I just saw that Maxim makes a 5 and 3mm cord. It could be the 3mm which is rated to 3600lbs but I would not want to climb up the the anchor and see 3mm! I once had cord with that pattern and it was 5mm, but looking at the photo it looks much smaller. Maxim is a New England Rope product.
BCA wrote:Agreed, Matt. It appears that there is more that 1mil between the two. I would just go ahead and buy new cord. It's really inexpensive, and it might be worth having the piece of mind that comes with knowing the history of your "soft goods."
To you both, thanks! It was marketed on the for sale thread as a "16 ft of cord prusik" and "10 ft cordelette". With my naivety and looking at Bluewater cord to use as a Prusik (I hadn't checked REI or EMS), and I had thought that it'd be what I needed and for a cheaper price. So, I bought it.. and we're here now. I'll be sure to buy from REI or EMS next time. Thanks everyone. And I have to find a mentor now..
AnonymousCoward · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 0

Which is thicker? You tell me!

Matt R · · Downingtown, PA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 0
Will S.. wrote:Which is thicker? You tell me!
I was waiting for that.. or some other type of NSFW content. Hahaha. Nicee.
frankstoneline · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 30
Will S.. wrote:Which is thicker? You tell me!
I got your thicker hangin'...
Matt R · · Downingtown, PA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 0
frankstoneline wrote: I got your thicker hangin'...
Oh, the response I didn't want..
DBarton · · CENTENNIAL, CO · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 105

Ah, finally people posted what I thought that they would/should post.

Matt R · · Downingtown, PA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 0
DBarton wrote:Ah, finally people posted what I thought that they would/should post.
It was only a matter of time.
Greg D · · Here · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 883
Matt R wrote: The cord on the right, though, is thick in comparison to the one on the left! So, there seems to be a big difference between the two in terms of thickness, I would've thought it's a bigger difference then just 1mm.
Yes and consider ignoring that post.
Matt R · · Downingtown, PA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 0
Ryan Williams wrote: OK, the question you asked coupled with the picture you posted has me thinking that you really REALLY need a mentor. I'm not having a go at you - we ALL needed a mentor in the beginning. Some of us found one, others just got lucky and didn't die. Don't assume you'll be one of the lucky ones. Freedom of the Hills is a great book, but there is no substitute for a real life person that knows their shit. All it takes is a willingness to learn (and beer).
Where would you suggest looking for a mentor?
randy88fj62 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 291

Matt,
Find your local climbing or mountaineering clubs. There usually are older people looking to climb easier routes.

Not sure of the exact names of the clubs out in PA but we have a lot of them here in CA.

I would also look on meetup.com for climbing related activities and join the groups.

Matt R · · Downingtown, PA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 0
John Marsella wrote:Matt-- You can post up here looking for one (maybe partner finder?) or try to locate the crusty old guy at your local gym (since you're 16 watch out for creepers though). Be willing to carry the gear and buy lunch from time to time. Be willing to belay... a lot. Don't act like you know stuff you don't (there's little-to-no room for egotism in the apprentice). Be honest with your climbing partner/mentor about your current abilities and knowledge base. See if you can practice at the gym enough to be confident in your safe belaying skills so that you're not jeopardizing anyone's life... If all else fails, pay a guide or take one of those classes at the gym.
Thanks for the response. The nearest gym that I go to is kind of small. And not a ton of people go there. I'm thinking of switching gyms after I take the lead climbing class at the current gym. For carrying the gear and belaying and all that, I wouldn't have a problem. I honestly do think the biggest problem is finding someone because I live by Philadelphia, PA so there's not a ton to climb around here.

randy88fj62 wrote:Matt, Find your local climbing or mountaineering clubs. There usually are older people looking to climb easier routes. Not sure of the exact names of the clubs out in PA but we have a lot of them here in CA. I would also look on meetup.com for climbing related activities and join the groups.
I'll look around! I wish EMS had a mountaineering/climbing class around here, but the closest ones are in NY.
Sam Stephens · · PORTLAND, OR · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 1,090
Jason Kim wrote: I'm laughing at the thought of trying to build an anchor with an 18" long cordelette.
That sounds like a challenge
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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