So over the last few days I was climbing at the Gunks and my rope froze stiff in a few short section and then I used it to rappel. Does freezing your rope damage it much? And what about slings, how much would freezing them then using them cause them to weaken?

no

Some of us actually go ice climbing on the things...call us crazy.

Sorry. I should have mentioned that my rope isn't dry-treated. I know that people ice climb, but don't they generally use dry-treated rope? I could be totally wrong as I haven't had the chance to go ice climbing yet.

They still freeze stiffer than a board on big routes....dry treatment just keeps them lighter for a longer period....

ok good to know. Thanks. I didn't want to be using it if freezing seriously weakened it.

I'm probably over thinking this but maybe someone smart can join me.

When you get frostbite they tell you not to massage your fingers because the flesh has crystallized and pressing the crystals can damage your tissue. If a rope is soaked and then it freezes, could rapping on it cause a little damage in the same way?

actually everything we do with our ropes causes wear and tear...they are not meant to last forever despite the typical REI customer's perception of gear longevity....the sheath is there to protect the core....freezing your rope on a rock climb here and there will not affect it as much as falls, dirt/sand and hang dogging it. You are feeling the core of a rope to tell you when it is time to retire, not the sheath. If you climb multi pitch much, a core shot, more than likly from falling rock will be its undoing if you are not falling on it much. Many times a sheath looks god awful, but the core is in good shape. If you take hard leader falls, it is important to keep track of them. Getting ropes wet and frozen, not such a big deal. Some folks are a bit cautious and have cash burning holes through their pockets and retire their ropes way early compared to us veterans.