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How long is a rope good for?

Dan Austin · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 0

I just bought a new rope after having my old one for about 2 years, with relatively infrequent/weekend use but heavy fall-catching/hangdogging when in use. My main impetus for getting a new one is that, in the past 6 months when I haven't been able to climb much at all outdoors, I've thoughtlessly been keeping my rope in the trunk of my car. Hadn't given this much thought until the recent news of that rope breaking in the gym, which snapped me to my senses!

bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

I keep ropes in my car all the time

But then i dont live in some place hawt, nor do i keep chemicals in the boot

Seriously when a rope breaks under body weight .... Theres something more than keeping a rope in the car (which many road trip folks do) ... Chemicals would be highly suspected

;)

Dan Austin · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 0

That's fair -- my point is that my rope has basically been unmoved from my trunk for 6+ months and while I don't live in the South, temps can still get pretty high in direct sun here. Probably not a big deal, but also not the kind of thing I want to have in the back of my head the next time I do get out. Also there was a big sale at EMS so made financial sense for me to get one now anyway (<- that's my rationalization) :)

mark55401 · · Minneapolis · Joined May 2011 · Points: 355

I do not know of even one documented instance of a rope "breaking".

Dan Austin · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 0

Not sure if you're just trying to be a stickler on the word "breaking", but this is what bearbreeder and I are referencing: mountainproject.com/scripts…

AFAIK we don't have all the answers, but sure sounds like the rope broke to me

TBlom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 360

Zebastion for president!!!

I had a rope we called 'old fuzzy'... retired it when the core showed.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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