How do you repurpose your old climbing ropes?

dorseyec wrote: Well maybe you shouldn't be surfing the internet at work/school.

Moderation:

No. People shouldn't be linking to explicit images in a climbing gear forum.

/Moderation

Peter Franzen wrote: Moderation: No. People shouldn't be linking to explicit images in a climbing gear forum. /Moderation

Explicit? They had clothing covering all the pertinent bits!

My suggestion again, presented in a more abstract representation -

XKCD is always appropriate!

<3

contact joe ferrizo. hes an artist who has made some beautiful pieces with recycled climbing rope.
email him at joeferriso@yahoo.com

When a rope gets damaged or too old, I use it to make rappel anchors. I just recently figured out that I've made nine ropes worth of rap stations out in Red Rock. (and I need more-- if you're passing through and have a dying rope, give me a shout)

One of our local climbers gathers up old ropes yearly from area climbers and sells them at the yearly kayakers 'rendezvous'. The proceeds of the sale go back to the Carolina Climbers Coalition. Whitewater boaters eat them up.

As far as recycling goes...the local gym should had some form of recycling ropes. For repurposing a number of things can be done, a lot of which has already been said. I turn mine in to rugs, toothbrush holders, or garland for the Christmas tree. There is a company here in Boulder called Green Guru that uses rope to make a lot of different products...the sheath can be pulled of for bracelets, chalk bags, etc etc...

Can anyone comment on the usefulness of an old retired rope as a tow rope for pulling someone out of a ditch/snowbank?

I keep a 30' section of old rope (extra from a rope rug I made) in my truck for this purpose but am a little skeptical of it due to its dynamic properties and overall strength to perhaps try to pull another 5000 lb truck with it.

Any firsthand experience you can share would be great. thanks

Andrew Mayer wrote:Can anyone comment on the usefulness of an old retired rope as a tow rope for pulling someone out of a ditch/snowbank? I keep a 30' section of old rope (extra from a rope rug I made) in my truck for this purpose but am a little skeptical of it due to its dynamic properties and overall strength to perhaps try to pull another 5000 lb truck with it. Any firsthand experience you can share would be great. thanks

My son uses one to let his wolf-dog roam on outings. He helped me clear my drive of a couple of fallen trees by pulling them and/or tensioning them with his Jeep using same. That put me on the search for a cheap line (static preferred) but so far have taken a bit of flack for considering it. I think re-purposing is great, a strong line could be saved and another small bit for the environment

I use my old ropes to replace fixed lines in Yosemite. Wait, no I don't. shhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Isaac Shirley wrote:has anyone figured out a good way of making a rope bag out of the old rope to hold the new rope?

I made a rope bag out of duct tape and a bit of rope. We put a layer of duct tape on top of another and taped rope on each side. Enough was left out to tie it together when you move it. Plus if you tie it to a big stick you'd look like a giant hobo.

Anyone have any old ropes they want to get rid of? I'm wanting to make dog toys out of them.

Andrew Mayer wrote:Can anyone comment on the usefulness of an old retired rope as a tow rope for pulling someone out of a ditch/snowbank? I keep a 30' section of old rope (extra from a rope rug I made) in my truck for this purpose but am a little skeptical of it due to its dynamic properties and overall strength to perhaps try to pull another 5000 lb truck with it. Any firsthand experience you can share would be great. thanks

When pulling someone out of a ditch, you generally want a dynamic pull rope. But climbing rope is nowhere near strong enough. You might be able to give someone enough of a tug to get them going, but for most recovery situations, get a real snatch strap. When pulling someone, you generally want a static tow rope. Again, climbing rope is not ideal and might work, but why chance it? The tensile strength of climbing rope is far below that of tow straps and snatch straps.

Back on topic, my father uses old climbing rope to make horse gear. Headstalls, halters, leadropes, etc.

A 5000 pound truck doesn't necessarily present a 5000 pound load to the towing line. However the point here is to repurpose a rope rather than buying new (snatch line or whatever). So a repurposed rope would be handy to have in your vehicle for emergency use. It just might save the day, or even a life.

I am still looking for a low cost rope to repurpose.

Andrew Mayer wrote:Can anyone comment on the usefulness of an old retired rope as a tow rope for pulling someone out of a ditch/snowbank? I keep a 30' section of old rope (extra from a rope rug I made) in my truck for this purpose but am a little skeptical of it due to its dynamic properties and overall strength to perhaps try to pull another 5000 lb truck with it. Any firsthand experience you can share would be great. thanks

Done this many times. Use double strands (or triple if heavy load or steep incline). Works just fine.

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Dog leashes.

I use mine to fill up the local landfill, but if sometimes I'll sell them to new climbers just getting into the sport and tell them that the best way to get better at climbing is to take a lot of practice whippers.

GhaMby wrote:I use mine to fill up the local landfill, but if sometimes I'll sell them to new climbers just getting into the sport and tell them that the best way to get better at climbing is to take a lot of practice whippers.

Meh. Points for trying though.