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Which Rope

Original Post
Naota · · Northern Virginia · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

Good afternoon everyone!

I am new to this forum and am trying to find a great place to go for all climbing discussions.

I have done a lot of indoor climbing and have been slowly working to climb outside. Since I am colorblind it is so much more enjoyable to not follow tape marked spots. =P I have already taken my achors classes and know how to set them up.

That said, I will be doing a lot of top-roping from the beginning. I understand that the recommendation usually is a 10mm or greater sized rope.

I was looking at the two following ropes at the 60m size:

Edelweiss Element ii with Superdry
backcountry.com/edelweiss-e…

Mammut Infinity (Yes I know this isn't 10mm)
rei.com/product/830933/mamm…

I do have a 20% coupon so they will be roughly the same price. Any recommendations for one over the other? Any other rope recommendations?

Also I have no idea which ropes would be great static ropes for anchoring, so any advice there would be very appreciated. =) Sorry for asking for so much in a first post! I just want to get outside cause the weather is awesome for it right now.

randy88fj62 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 291

Bluewater assault line is my personal static rope of choice for top rope anchoring. I used 50 ft sections quite often. If rigging multiple top ropes on the same wall or area I found it useful to have a 150' section but I have a gear problem.

My first rope was a 9.8mm and it worked great for top roping, ice climbing, trad climbing, big wall climbing, and mountaineering. After you do more climbing you will realize there are specialty ropes for each niche.

If you plan on doing a lot of top roping then a large diameter rope will work well for longevity since they have more area and sheath to handle abrasion.

My first rope was a 9.8mm edelweiss and it has served me well for all climbing genres for over 5 years. I am thinking of retiring it soon as a few spots on the sheath are getting worn.

divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90

Just about any short static rope would be fine for anchoring. 50' of 8-9mm is commonly available.

As for top roping, I would probably get the cheapest one you can find ($100 or so). If you want to lead soon, then I would get the Infinity, it's a great rope.

Mike Belu · · Chicago, IL · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 135

If you search the forums, you can probably find a lot of info and opinions on this topic. If I were in your shoes, I'd get the edelweiss flashlight on gear x. Its 10 mm and should be good for what you're doing. Its fairly low cost. The more you get outside, there will always be something to buy. The $ you save can pay for your static rope. You can just get that at rei or someplace like that. Might as well get some burly 11mm for the static. Just my opinion. Have fun.

randy88fj62 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 291

Check out Sterling Ropes "Outlet" section. They commonly have ropes at really good deals.

Their 10.2mm marathon pro is $109 right now
sterlingrope.com/product/34…

$99
sterlingrope.com/product/34…

Naota · · Northern Virginia · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

Thank you all for your quick responses. This was really helpful.

I do aim at leading eventually after I practice some more.

Nick Votto · · CO, CT, IT · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 320

Love my Mammut Infinity...I've beat the crap out of it and its still kicking, will be retired soon though

Naota · · Northern Virginia · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0
Nick Votto wrote:Love my Mammut Infinity...I've beat the crap out of it and its still kicking, will be retired soon though
Hi Nick

How long did that rope last you so far? Did you do a lot of top roping with it? (which I hear is frowned upon for high end ropes)
Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180

I have an Infinity and I love it but I would choose a less expensive and thicker rope to abuse top-roping.

Dave Alie · · Golden, CO · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 75
Naota wrote: Did you do a lot of top roping with it?
The infinity is a solid rope, and I don't want to discourage you from considering it, but if you're likely to do a lot of top-roping I would recommend also checking out a mammut tusk (9.8mm). I've had a couple of them and they're definitely not great for everything (the sheath can be stiff, it can be a bit much for multi-pitch, or alpine, etc.), but it's an absolute work horse for logging miles at the crag. Extremely durable but still under 10mm, which is hard to over-value if you spend a lot of time out in big groups, or setting up a route and TRing it again and again, etc.
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

buy the cheapest 10mm+climbing rope that you can find ...

you dont need fancy dry treatments, duodess, or even mammuts ..

and i own five mammuts .... i dont use em for top roping though ...

theres a myth that a $$$$$ rope will last longer ... well just because it has a fancy name and some fancy treatment doesnt mean a 9.5mm will outlast a 10.2mm if yr top roping all the time

;)

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

Yeah. I agree with bearbreeder. +1 for mammut ropes. It's not a bad idea to have two ropes. Get a cheap workhorse for top roping, and something more supple and lower in diameter for leading. However, if you're really into climbing, you might find that you're not top roping for long and will hardly use that 10.2!

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,492

I see ropes as consumables, and as has just been mentioned, spending more doesn't generally get you more days of useable rope life. So I buy cheap, and don't shed any tears when it's time to retire a rope from lead use to TR duty.

So what's a cheap rope? Sign up for email alerts at Sierra Trading Post; they have special offers (typically 30-40% off the sale price) every few days. Sometimes free shipping is part of the deal. I got a 60m x 10.0mm Edelrid Hawk rope last fall for $82.

Matt.H Haron · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 185

if you can find a dynamic rope 50m or longer for $90, buy it. that's incredible. My last rope was 150, and was on sale. 60m is a great length for an all around rope. personally I run a 50m and a 70m for longer routes. If you can find a 50m for cheaper, i would say go for it, but that's just me.

Naota · · Northern Virginia · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

Thank you all for this information.

You all might be disappointed with me. I ended up getting the Edelweiss Element II with Superdry. I think my lack of experience made me go the $$$ route. haha

I am going to use it as my workhorse rope and for top roping. I am sure it is overkill (especially in $.) I was going to get that $109 Marathon rope you showed me Randy but when I kicked i up to 60m and shipping was added, the price ended up being close enough that the mindset "well its only XXX more" kicked in for me.

I think I will go with everyone's suggestion and will get the Infinity once I begin lead climbing and will use this till then.

I am looking at some of the Static rope recommendations now. I have gone ahead and signed up for email alerts (thanks Gunkiemike)

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180

You made a fine choice.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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