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Oldest rope you've climbed on: Poll

Original Post
WDW4 Weatherford · · Houston · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 176

I recently replaced a rope, due to age rather than falls or wear (sadly, I don't climb as often as I'd like). What is the oldest rope you've climbed on? Reply anonymously via this LINK , or just post below.

If I get a good number of responses in the poll, I'll post the numbers on this thread.

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 21,711

When I started climbing, I borrowed my dad's old goldline. Had to be at least 25+ years old at the time.

Greg Barnes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 2,060

About 25-30 years, '50s rope in the mid '80s (might have dated to 1954). My dad threw my brother and I on a top-rope when we were kids with his old rope. Pre-goldline (non-kernmantle - no sheath), 3 main strands, stiff as a cable, and he showed us how you inspect the rope when you're done (go along the whole rope and twist it open and check for rocks between the strands).

My brother and I didn't even think about climbing again until we each stumbled upon rock climbing many years later as adults...

rock-fencer · · Columbia, SC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 265

i finally donated my 10 year old 10.2 to some boaters. id still climb on it.

Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

Wear wise. In Colombia I was leading close to my limit on a super fuzzy rope with one side completely frayed. That's suesca Colombia

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 21,711
John Wilder wrote:Back in 2005 or so, I climbed on a rope that was purchased in 1993. I was dubious of the rope's quality, especially after I found 2 core shots in it, and the ropes owner just shrugged and said- yeah, theyve been there for a few months. Good times.
This particular owner doesn't carry Pecks on his rack, by chance? Ha ha.

I still have a fair hunk of the first rope I bought (used). Be interesting to test it. I got it in 1982. Just used it to tie a wine chiller into a truck. Bomber!
Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280
Brian in SLC wrote:When I started climbing, I borrowed my dad's old goldline. Had to be at least 25+ years old at the time.
Have top roped on a 1975 Mammut bicolor rope in the last year. It creaks' now, so finally retired it. BUT I do have a similar age goldline that is totally good, still stiff and hard to coil. I'd not lead on it due to the loong stretch that goldline has, but I'd trust it for toprope falls any day yet. It is in virtually pristine condition with few UV hours ever on it. It's just to hard to feed through a belay device for any normal use.
jake 356 · · worcester · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 0

Blue water 10.5 bought as my first rope in 2003, about six mints after starting climbing.

Kyle O · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 20

My rope is at least 14 years old. It just towed my car home no problem though!

flynn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2002 · Points: 25

Only about 10 years.

Never mind the dreaded comment from my partner to somebody else: "I'm not gonna say how old these ropes are, because you (me) have to climb with 'em at Devils Tower!"

Dave Lynch · · Saint Croix Falls, WI · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 515

15 years. After ice climbing a couple years in Alaska with it. My main climbing buddy & I were in the same Basic Mountaineering class when that question came up. Funniest look on his face when the instructors answered. "Dude, how old is your rope?". He knew. That was the end of that rope.

20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346

9 years. I had no problem climbing on it, but it was as fat as Jabba The Hutt and so it had to go.

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

A couple of my TR ropes are 25 yr old.

Ian White · · Dubois, Wyoming · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 0

I just test mine every now and again. Either pull a truck out of something, or pull a tree over. If it don't break..... It's good to go and I throw it back in my pack. Only contingency is before the test, I must say "Hold my beer. Watch this."

Jan Tarculas · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 917

maybe 10 years?

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

I have one bootied from a fatal in 92 or so that is still fine for top roping. Due to the bad Juju never led on it though.

josh holmes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 215

Either Marek the Czechs rope down in IC, back in 2001, or my first rope, a hand me down, was probably 10-12 yrs old, had been up a couple of walls and had a nice crusty feel to it. But hands down Marek's was the scariest. only about 8 years old he told me, but was "good rope" and not to worry he told me because he "did (his) first 14a with this rope" and it had [. multiple core shots, the sheath had slipped about 8 inches on one end and the act of passing through a belay device effectively shaved off the excess fuzz.

WDW4 Weatherford · · Houston · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 176

With 55 responses, the current results are:

Boom

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Oh c'mon, add an 'over 30 years' space to that graph and give me my 1% line on it.

Jon Zucco · · Denver, CO · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 245

pretty sure that would qualify as part of the "I don't know how old that ratty thing was" category.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

I have a gold line in my garage. Anyone want to whip on it?

Maybe we can get Austin to video tape it and put it on buzzfeed.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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