Inverted rope - has anybody seen this before?

Basically, the core and sheath seem to have separated a bit at one end, and it's sort of inverted, turned inside-out. It didn't feel weird or particularly squishy before this happened, which I'd expect for that kind of separation. Just seemed like a weird thing to happen, and I was just wondering if it's common. Has anybody seen it before? Do you think it's a manufacturing defect, or just wear and tear? I suspect the latter really...

Anyway, I've cut about 1m off the affected end - hopefully it won't happen again there!

For info: the rope is a Beal Booster III, I've had it for about 7 months, it's had a lot of use, including some moderate falls but not too much abuse! I'm not going to ask if I should be using the rope - I realise that's my call really.

Pucker-factor got to it.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like a bit of sheath slippage. Beal advertises this rope to have 0 mm slippage so it might be worth giving them a call.

Looks like some regular sheath slippage. We see it on the ropes at the climbing gym all the time.

Seen on the tail end of many ropes over the years. As long as the section right above still feels tight with no major slippage, it looks OK.

Thanks for the info guys

don't they normally cut those when they are born?

Darren Mabe wrote:don't they normally cut those when they are born?

Like baby boys being circumcised by the doctors?

Bang wrote: Like baby boys being circumcised by the doctors?

snnrrk! Yeah, I think that's what Darren was gettin' at....
For bonus points-can you define "sidereal"?

Sven Yakomn wrote: snnrrk! Yeah, I think that's what Darren was gettin' at.... For bonus points-can you define "sidereal"?

oops! My bad :/

cjdrover wrote:Someone correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like a bit of sheath slippage. Beal advertises this rope to have 0 mm slippage so it might be worth giving them a call.

The 0mm advertised slippage is in relation to the UIAA tested drops that are done in the lab. It means that after the first drop, there was no sheath slippage. It does not mean the rope will never experience any slippage.

Anyway its normal sheath slippage, no big deal. Just cut the end off.

Normal slippage yes, but also a sign that your rope is getting old and may be nearing retirement age. The core and sheath are supposed to work together, and slippage is not good. Also, the sheath will tend to bunch up and jam in your belay/rappel device.